Kings' Dubois OK with criticism after 2 trade requests: 'I only live once'

Los Angeles Kings forward Pierre-Luc Dubois is aware he's rubbed a lot of people the wrong way after a pair of trade requests ended his tenures with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets.

"I knew when I asked for my trade from Columbus, I'd get criticized," he said in an interview with The Athletic's Murat Ates. "I knew when this situation happened in Winnipeg, I'd get criticized. I had to look at it like, 'Do I not want to get criticized but not do what I want to do … or do I want to get criticized but be happy with my life?'"

He added, "Everybody's entitled to their opinion. At the end of the day, it's my life: I only live once. I only have one career."

Dubois is only 25 years old, but he's already on his third NHL team after the Jets sent him to Los Angeles in the summer. His future in Winnipeg had long been called into question since it came out in June 2022 that he intended to test free agency in 2024.

His time in Columbus ended in similar fashion. The Blue Jackets selected Dubois with the third overall pick in the 2016 draft, but prior to his fourth season with the club in 2020, reports emerged that he wanted a change of scenery. Dubois was benched by then-head coach John Tortorella five games into the 2020-21 campaign, and Columbus traded him to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Patrik Laine days later.

Dubois said that even though he wanted out, he's frustrated that his attitude towards Winnipeg and Columbus has been "misconstrued" by those outside his situation.

"A lot of times, people have the mindset that if he did this, it's because he hated that. But it's not like that at all," he said.

He elaborated, "That's the main thing I would say if you asked me what I wanted people to understand: You can like two things at the same time. You can appreciate two different things at the same time."

After landing in Los Angeles, Dubois said he was excited for the chance to "fully" be himself after years of drama and speculation. He has yet to register a point through two games with his new club, and his next chance will come against the Jets on Tuesday.

Dubois is expecting a mixed reaction when he returns to Winnipeg, but he's still looking forward to the tilt.

"It will be special, I'm sure," Dubois said, per NHL.com's Dan Greenspan. "I'm sure some fans will see it a little differently, but for me personally it will be special. ... To play against some teammates and friends that I have from Winnipeg, it'll be a special game."