What a difference a day can make. Following Pierre-Luc Dubois’ benching against Tampa Bay on Thursday which saw him post a career-low 3:55 of ice time, it appeared that trade chatter had started to pick up around the Columbus center. Now, it appears that he could be getting his trade request granted in the very near future. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports (Twitter link) that the Blue Jackets are closing in on a Dubois trade with teams being notified that they’re no longer being considered. He adds Winnipeg as one of the teams that’s still in the mix.
To that end, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic adds (via Twitter) that Columbus plans to make Dubois a healthy scratch for the rematch against the Lightning on Saturday if he’s still on the roster by then.
At this point, the situation is well-known. While the two sides were able to agree on a two-year, $10MM bridge deal just before training camp, Dubois’ request to be dealt was not rescinded. Although he claimed that he would continue to play hard while waiting for a resolution, that hasn’t happened yet, leading to what has become a very public benching.
The Jets have a pair of players who are believed to want out as well in wingers Patrik Laine and RFA Jack Roslovic; Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic suggests (Twitter link) that both players could make sense as being involved in the deal if they wind up being the eventual destination. A return involving those players would certainly allow Columbus to yield a substantial return although it would create a sizable hole down the middle, a position that they’re already weak at. Meanwhile, Winnipeg would lose some firepower on the wing but would get a controllable second center to put behind Mark Scheifele for the foreseeable future.
In a follow-up tweet, LeBrun adds that the Ducks also remain interested in Dubois. They’ve had interest since this whole process began and would certainly give them a much-needed boost down the middle. They have a little more than $6MM in LTIR room at the moment, per CapFriendly, but that amount will be reduced by $800K once Brendan Guhle returns. That still leaves enough room to absorb Dubois but just barely. Having said that, they’re not a great fit in terms of providing immediate value in a trade though their prospect pool has several high-quality prospects including center Trevor Zegras and defenseman Jamie Drysdale.
In his report, Dreger notes that this is a complicated process which can mean several different things. Depending on who is involved, there could be salary cap elements at play although a deal involving Laine and Dubois is something both teams can afford. If there isn’t a center coming their way though, it’s possible that another move has to be agreed upon to give them one. And, of course, there are quarantine issues to deal with and plan around with there being different rules in different jurisdictions. Dreger suggests that these could be resolved as quickly as Saturday so Dubois’ poor showing last night could wind up being the impetus that ultimately gets a trade completed.
its the mystery team!
Get crazy and make it Pittsburgh, Toronto or New Jersey.
So where does he play for Pgh and who do they send back in return? It will not be Pgh
Okay Kerfoot, Engvall + would almost clear enough cap I could see it go dubas go
That “+” must be Matthews.
Really Winnipeg way over paid by an insane amount
I love for it to be the B’s but they don’t have anything worth giving up for him
Rangers… they waiting for the Ranger game to end.
@jimmyduz0523 hopefully, stroke is no #2 center
@jimmyduz0523 strome*
yeah he’s more like a 3rd line center. strome might be part of the package. unlikely but we’ll see what happens.
Honestly he would be a great fit there. They might lose a young D man though, DeAngelo has been sitting so maybe him
I read that Jarmo might want ready to go players over futures and draft capital. Is that still
the case? If so Ducks could make it work and give themselves a bit of breathing room. I love Henrique, but if he were part of a deal for PLD I wouldn’t be too sad. (assuming they aren’t on his 10 team no trade lost that is).
Lol No one is trading for Henrique and his terrible contract, let alone for a young talent like PLD.
I said as part of a package dumbass. Learn to read
Why would they want him in a package even? He’s about to be 31 and overpaid. Stop trying to be Eklund Jr, you’re just as stupid as he is. DuMbAsS
I wonder if the Flyers are in on him after losing Coots and then frost. Seems sensible and they have some cap
Doubt Columbus wants to trade him within the Metro unless they get an incredible return
Tyler Johnson is involved somewhere for this to work.
The Ducks package and TJ & TBL gets futures.
Johnson has a full no-trade clause. I don’t see him waving it to go to the Ducks or Winnipeg
Columbus probably prefers to send Dubois out west & I would think they would want to keep him out of the Metro Division. Winnipeg makes sense if that is the case. Still, I can’t see how Columbus can trade Dubois without getting a center back in the trade.
Jack rosolvic and laine I’ve been reading
Danault, 2021 1st, 2021 2nd, and Caulfield
I want him in Montreal too, but the futures so bright I gotta wear shades man! Even if we lose Daneault, we are jacked at C and Caufield will be a top 6 with a few years.
Word is Roslovic and Laine for Dubois, Gerbe, and a 2nd. Makes some sense.
How about a 3 team trade …that could be a possibility..Anaheim,Winnipeg and Columbus…or maybe Detroit…I hope PLD is traded on Saturday and gets out of CBJ….
Apparently the Deal is Laine (26% salary retain) and Roslovic for Dubois and a 22’ 3rd rounder
The Habs would love PLD but the truth is we don’t need him, Suzuki and KK are doing a fine job and we have secured our future 1st 2nd line centermen.
Having said this, I could see potential for a three team deal. The center pieces would see Dubois to Winnipeg, Laine to Columbus, Danault to Columbus and Roslovic to the Habs. Ancillary pieces would complement these transactions based on each team’s needs and would consist of NHL role players, top prospects and or future draft choices… this is what Gms get paid for.
I really like Danault and he’s generally underrated but there’s no doubt in my mind that he is a top 6 forward. However, the reality is that we lose him at the end of the Season.