The headlines were already dominated today by Pierre-Luc Dubois news, but even with the new two-year bridge deal, it doesn’t appear like the conversation is over. Aaron Portzline of The Athletic joined TSN Radio in Vancouver this afternoon, explaining that even though the contract is inked, Dubois’ desire to stay in Columbus isn’t.
I think there is a desire from the player, I don’t think it is an imminent move, but it appears—Pierre LeBrun the first to report this—that there is a desire by the player to move on, to have a change of scenery. Which is a nice way of saying get the heck out of town, he wants to play somewhere else. My first inclination was, I’m sure like yours, that this was just a ploy to move things along here and get this done so the young man could enjoy some bubbly and not have to worry about his contract tonight, but I think this is bigger than that. I think he wants a short-term contract in Columbus, I think he’s willing to let Jarmo Kekalainen to have some time to make a deal, because it is certainly going to be a major trade if it includes Pierre-Luc Dubois. But it is a short-term deal too because apparently unless something changes, there is a feeling with Pierre-Luc Dubois is that he does not want to be locked down in Columbus, Ohio long-term.
For now, Dubois is signed and part of the Blue Jackets family. But his situation is obviously still one to keep an eye on as things continue, especially given how expensive he will likely become after this bridge deal expires. In 2021-22 he will already carry a heavy salary on his back-loaded contract, a number he will probably be looking to eclipse on any long-term deal.
- Micheal Ferland will not be in Vancouver Canucks training camp when it starts in a few days, as his agent Jason Davidson told Rick Dhaliwal of TSN that the veteran forward is still at home trying to work through his post-concussion symptoms. Ferland played two games for the Canucks in the postseason but was forced out of the bubble due to his health complications. Though everyone is hoping that he will recover enough to play hockey again, moving Ferland’s $3.5MM cap hit to long-term injured reserve would help the Canucks get out of the tricky situation they find themselves in as the season approaches.
- The Buffalo Sabres will be hiring Dan Girardi in a player development role, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. The 36-year-old played 927 regular season games in the NHL over a long career, quite the impressive total for a player who was never drafted. Add in 143 postseason games and Girardi has a wealth of knowledge that he can pass off to Sabres prospects and players.
You have to wonder if a deal might be close? Maybe that deal was worked out for another teams cap issues
I still think a Dubois for Barzal (not straight up, of course) deal makes sense for both players and both clubs. There seems to be fractured relationships on all sides.
Have I missed something with Barzal and NYI?
Isles would want little more I think in that trade but don’t see it happening anyways. I like Dubois allot but I think Barzal is more of an electric player who brings more offense game in game out.
P-L-D vs CBJ seems like Trouba vs WPG all over again, just in a different location. What is so bad about CBJ that guys want out (other than Panarin’s desire for the bright lights of NYC)? It can’t still be the Jeff Carter effect, as shared to us by @Bazi, so what gives?
Their current coach isn’t known to make many friends among the players. Just guessing but could have something to do with it.
@cjmask – I could believe it, but I wouldn’t approve of that, either. I see them, as a team, as at least somewhat over-achieving, due in large part to Torts coaching them up. As long as a coach isn’t actually trying to be an enemy to everyone on the team (see M. Keenan), the veteran leadership should be able to impart the coach’s philosophy to the younger members of the team. Naturally, if the vets are against the coach, you’d have to say he’s worn out his welcome and it is time for a fresh voice in the room. But, that said, if they were really trying to pull a team mutiny, it would show in the standings. It doesn’t seem reasonable to believe that only part of the team is in mutiny-mode. Are they really that good at acting? It just seems like something else is the problem there…
No rumour is complete without adding the Leafs into it. Marner and Sandin for Dubois and Jones.
Leafs need a Center why?
No chance CBJ take that deal. Marner costs too much and hasn’t proven to be a driver. And Sandin has spent about 15 seconds in the NHL to prove he is worthy. Add a 1st from Toronto’s end and maybe.
PLD is a 1st line Calibre C, Jones is a 1st pairing D. A 1LW and a unknown line D dont land you a potential 1C and a top pair D without addition.
Even if PLD wants out of CBJ, an overpriced, although great winger, and an unproven D dont get it done.
If Toronto wants PLD, which they have no reason to, it takes Marner, Sandin, a 1st, and something conditional upon a extension.
Once again… no reason for toronto to be interested.
ברזל
@despicable_you – Fe or Pyrite? (Lucky number 26 on your Periodic Table Bingo Cards!)
MacJab HNY
-PLD & CBJ is so bad. One of the worst I’ve actually seen from the outside.
Never say never,until now. That offer sheet in 2 years is going to be written in French,so he’s shaved it down to two. If he doesn’t smarten up he might be a Kraken for a year,or at least up to the ‘22 deadline. MB will be grooming the pieces if he wants to act. PD (Mario’s kid) is so in over his head he’s under the pool.
Ya, ask MTL how that Aho offersheet went. Accepted within minutes from CAR. The 2nd year of Dubois is 6+ already. And is arb eligible i believe. MB is already regarded as one of the worst GMs, mostly by his own fans, in the NHL. Good luck pulling one over when you have 15M+ locked in goaltending.
The “ player “ accepted it not the team, the team was not very happy about it aho walks right into free agency. Aho wants out of Carolina or he wouldn’t have signed it, the way it was structured was the smart part of the contract by Bergevin and dundon was not very pleased. Bergevin had the best offseason this year and it’s not close, I think they win the north division my leafs still didn’t do enough and not happy with the Brodie signing he is not the type of dman we needed
@Dave – HNY! PLD sure looks like a prime candidate for the proverbial “rare” offer sheet shortly down the road, doesn’t he? It’s kinda nice to see other MTL fans chiming in on their take of MB’s job so far, which isn’t as positive as some believe (especially MB’s & Moulson’s views of said track record). Hearing PD on the interweb radio yesterday, just boggles the mind. And as far as Seattle goes, you wonder how many players think it’ll be a great destination, even with RF in charge. Everybody keeps saying how the other 30 teams supposedly learned their lesson from the raiding that George pulled off for VGK, but it’ll be interesting to see how that really plays out this summer, knowing some guys might be “forced” to go there, due to no NMC/NTCs.
Maybe Columbus ownership needs to decide on PLD or Torts
Or Columbus
What is the source of Dubios’ discontent?
Torts? Jackets’ futility? Columbus is dull?
They finally have a star player to build around…after 20 years. Trading him would be a disaster.
Pierre Lebrun is the source, he wouldn’t have wrote it if it wasn’t true
1st player to build around in 20 years? Rick Nash says hi.
So why not Laine and other players for PLD and maybe Savard. Players that might not want to be on their teams so move them…