One of the biggest rumors yet since NHL training camps started are the rumors surrounding Columbus Blue Jackets centreman Pierre-Luc Dubois. Adding to the rumors is the relationship Dubois has with head coach John Tortorella. Their relationship between Dubois and Tortorella was well publicised in last year’s playoffs while in the bubble with Tortorella shouting at Dubois on the bench.
Dubois has requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets during the negotiations in October. Dubois settled for a two-year contract worth 10M with an AAV of 5 million. He was just coming off an entry-level contract, which gave him little leverage during the negotiations. many of the rumors are stating Dubois wants to play in a hockey market and many observers are placing him in Montreal, who still dreams of acquiring the famous big centreman.
Tortorella Fuels the Rumors
Today during a virtual media scrum, the Columbus head coach provided further comments on the Dubois situation. Tortorella added that he wants to only develop players that wants to be on the team, no matter what. He doesn’t feel Dubois wants to be there so he doesn’t feel to coach him if his desire is to be somewhere else.
“Yeah, he wants out,” Tortorella told ‘Rothman and Ice’ on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus. “He spoke to the team, as we do here. It’s a little bit different than forward Artemi Panarin and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky were. This is a 22-year-old kid. It doesn’t happen that often, so he has been honest with the group. I wish he was a little bit more honest as far as reasons why. I still haven’t really gotten to that, but I think he needs to speak on that. I won’t.”
“Dubois has had a good camp, but it’s a short leash with me as far as this is concerned,” Tortorella said. “He needs to continue to do the things to help this team win and be the best teammate he can be, or I’m not sure where it goes. It’s a situation and we’ll go to it day by day.”
Which Team Can Acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois?
This question is quite difficult to answer. We can assure everyone that all 30 teams will inquire on what is needed to complete a trade. Jarmo Kekäläinen is not in a hurry to get a trade done. He has the leverage needed wit Dubois signed for the next two years. He doesn’t need to rush his decisions and is in a position to set the table to get the highest price for his no.1 center. What will make Kekäläinen’s task difficult is the distraction effect within the team as the season continues.
Dubois, 22, led the Blue Jackets with 49 points in 70 games last season and had 10 points in 10 playoff games.
Teams who will want to trade for Pierre-Luc Dubois will have to give a lot. We can say a blue chip prospect, 1st round pick and possibly another top-9 player. As well, the team will need to have the cap space in two years when Dubois negotiates for a long term deal, which could be in the vicinity of 10 million a year. This trade could also happen during the summer when the NHL draft takes place when teams have a better idea of who they will retain for the next season and beyond.
Needless to say we are expected to hear many rumors out of Columbus and Trade Rumors will keep you updated on teams interested in Pierre-Luc Dubois
