Evan’s NHL Daily: Dubois Disaster, Colton’s Move To Center

There was no secret around the NHL this summer that Pierre-Luc Dubois was going to get traded. He got his wish, and essentially got to pick where he was going, ending up in Los Angeles. So he got exactly what he wanted, and should be crushing it, right? Far from it, and his coach seems like he’s already had enough.

With the Colorado Avalanche, the team was given the day off by the staff, so we took a look at Ross Colton’s adjustment to the center position, which didn’t start out so well, but has come a long way.

All that and more in this Wednesday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

With the struggles of Ryan Johansen this season, Ross Colton adjusting to the center position has been huge, but it hasn’t been a flawless transition. (+)

For access to this article and another others, you can get a subscription to CHN+ for $29.99 a year with the code “evan10”. In addition to the + content, everything will be ad-free, which is a huge perk.

The Avs are back at home on Wednesday night against the Capitals, and I’ll be at Ball Arena for everything.

Pierre-Luc Dubois Disaster

From third overall pick in the NHL Draft to his third team, Pierre-Luc Dubois is a bit of an enigma. He got his wish this summer, moving from Winnipeg to Los Angeles, and signing a massive eight year, $68 million contract.

Are the Kings regretting that a little bit right now? Maybe…

Asked Todd McLellan what he’s seeing from PL Dubois without the puck:

“At the end of the day whether PL gets four minutes or gets 24 minutes he has to be a difference maker. And with or without the puck we’ve gone through this long enough it’s time.”

— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) January 23, 2024

Dubois is on pace for just 35 points, which would be the lowest of his NHL career. Yes, even lower than his rookie season. In addition, all of his underlying numbers are ugly, as he’s dead last on the team in goals above replacement. Is this a down year or is LA just not a good fit for him? Dubois does have four straight seasons with 60+ points, so you’d have to think he’ll bounce back, but the Kings are trying to win right now. That won’t happen with him playing the way he has. It’s been a disastrous start for Dubois, and will be fascinating to see if he can figure something out in the second half of the season.

Scoring Race

Nathan MacKinnon is no longer the leading scorer in the NHL, as Nikita Kucherov cannot be stopped. MacKinnon picked up four points in his last game, so it’s only fitting that Kucherov put up a four spot himself.

Nikita Kucherov buries the empty netter to finish off a HAT TRICK, 6-3 Lightning!

🎩🎩🎩#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/FFFJF9jJUi

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) January 24, 2024

National Hockey Now

The Philadelphia Flyers will be without Carter Hart for the immediate future, has he’s taking a leave from the team for personal reasons.

Speaking of under-performers, Timo Meier seems to be slowly figuring things out in New Jersey.