During the Stanley Cup Final, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reported that Pierre-Luc Dubois and his agent had requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets. This will be the second time Dubois has done that throughout his young career, already having his request granted once after being traded for Patrik Laine back in 2021.
Since being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets, the former third-overall selection has become a valuable offensive piece for Winnipeg. This season, in a similar fashion to last year, Dubois finished with 27 goals and 36 assists in 73 games played. With plenty of teams in need of depth up the middle of the ice, the Jets could receive a decent haul for Dubois.
A native of the province of Quebec, the probable landing spot for Dubois would be the Montreal Canadiens. A team that is rebuilding through the draft and acquiring prospect capital, Dubois would be a natural fit behind captain Nick Suzuki. The Colorado Avalanche and the Boston Bruins could both use a young second-line center, and Dubois’ style of play would certainly fit both lineups. Lastly, although severely limited by the salary cap, the Los Angeles Kings had an interest in Dubois, dating back to his time in Columbus.
Where do you think Dubois will play next season?
He’ll find his way Montreal. Not sure I’d do that if I were the Habs, but it appears he only wants to play for them. He’ll probably take less $$$ to go there.
Eventually, you may be correct. But not sure how he would fit into the Habs rebuilding timeline versus the contract he’d demand (and what exactly would taking less mean to MTL – it’s not like he’d take $6M vs $9M to play there…), or what they would give up to get him. The new regime in MTL is theoretically not beholden to stuffing the lineup with Francophile players like Bergevin and predecessors might have been?
In order for WPG to maximize the return, they’d need at least a couple of bidding teams, and in a crunched cap era, that’s going to be difficult to find since most of the teams with cap space are bottom dwellers in the standings…likely they’ll have to take on a big expiring contract to get a young player of any decent regard…
Jonathan Drouin all over again.
Starting to think LA is a legit possibility. He’s just not a fit for Montreal at this time.
They’re a talent deficient team. They need PLD as much as anybody
They aren’t paying him more than Caufield and Suzuki
Guy seems unhappy wherever he is. Buyer beware.
Could be. Columbus and Winnipeg are not exactly places to be exited about for hockey as well.
Plenty of players are excited to be in Columbus, big boi. It will never have a beach or be LA or NYC, but neither will a lot of NHL cities.
PLD purchased a $950,000 condo right before he asked out of Columbus. He had just signed an extension and wanted to stay in Columbus and something happened. Some people automatically blame his relationship with Torts, but he has repeatedly denied that. The only thing that changed between his condo purchase and his request was Jarmo trading Josh Anderson for Max Domi and then signing Domi for 2 years / $10.6m, which was more than PLD got.
Don’t blame the city.
OP is not wrong. Its called the Columbus Tax on The Athletic & Elite Prospects for a reason.
Nobody blames the city, its just the perception.
I get the Columbus Tax. It’s real. Just saying that isn’t what soured PLD. There’s only one thing that will abate that tax: winning consistently.
Kunlun.
Hah, I voted for “other” too. You sort of wonder what NHL GM is stupid enough to deal for him, never mind give anything UP for him.
Habs fan, I think he goes to LA. I just think WPG can get more else where for him. It sounds like the Habs are more interested in moving up to 3/4 then a PLD trade. I want the Habs to draft Smith or Reinbacher I think they wannt Carlson or Smith, and seems they would rather use assets for those guys as PLD is likely to go there for free. If the PLD trade is more the Anderson, pick 31 and a young LD (not named Ghule) it’s too much
He wants to go home and any club who manages to sign him long term will pay a premium for him.
I would love to see him land in Ottawa. I just seems like a place for where wayward, unhappy players end up! LOL
Dreaming of Canes getting Hellebuyck and PLD but I dont think they have enough to get it done.
Though I doubt they’d deal intra division, the Wild got my vote. If for no other reason than GMBG gambling and hoping for a playoff push, but when inevitably they are mid pack, sell PLD as a rental
I doubt it but maybe Dallas.
PLD heading to the Nikkei Ice Bucks.
Is there a who gives a sh*t option?
He’s definitely going to get the GM of his future team fired.
Boston gets my vote. They have future money to spend, have a perennial winning culture, and a need at the position.
If he goes to Boston he won’t be relied upon to be the top scorer, he can thrive on the powerplay and be in a big time sports town.
The only thing that doesn’t fit is the dudes attitude, but that goes for anywhere.
Boston is out no money endless they cut tie with some of there star player avalanche look like he could fit in there and the kings could slide in there