Pierre-Luc Dubois won’t cost the Habs as much as they think

Last Friday, as part of the Habs’ end-of-season press briefing, we learned that expectations for next season were going to change. Will the CH make the playoffs next year? No, I don’t think so, but they won’t be aiming for 32nd place like they did in 2022 and 2023. The goal will be to build on what Martin St-Louis has done and make sure the players are in a position to get to the next level. Ideally, that means healthy guys, butI’ll say it again: I don’t think the CH can get to the next level without a better center line. And a bonus-based contract for Sean Monahan isn’t going to buy the CH the insurance it needs to protect Nick Suzuki. And unless they win the lottery on May 8, let’s just say that the first pick in 2023 isn’t necessarily going to fill that role this fall.

If only there were a top-notch center who openly wanted to play for the Habs and fit into the Habs’ long-term plans-oh yes: 24-year-old Quebecer Pierre-Luc Dubois.

I’ve never made a secret of the fact that I want to see the CH go get him right now since the longer you wait, the more likely it is that he’ll sign a big contract elsewhere. And that, the CH can’t afford.

We know that the Jets will do everything they can to keep him in Manitoba, but I think that if the club really feels that he wants to leave for Montreal, the GM will have to act accordingly. There are two ways of looking at this. The first is to try to get as much juice out of the day as possible. That’s whatAntoine Roussel would do.

You can have a Porsche or a Mercedes or a damn fine collector’s tank, but if you’ve only got one person to buy it for you, you’re kind of stuck with it… If you’re going to lose it for nothing, you might as well keep it all the way. And they’ve got a whole goalie and a strong center line. You can wreak havoc in the playoffs.

–

Antoine Roussel

For my part, I think Winnipeg is probably the worst sports destination in North America in many people’s eyes. Why would such a city want to lose such a great asset? Even if the return offered by the Habs isn’t as good, is it better than keeping him as a rental player? Will the results of the 2023 series change the answer to my question?

After all, even if we compare the cases of Alex DeBrincat, Kevin Fiala or Sam Reinhart, players with similar profiles traded recently, we mustn’t forget one thing: the Senators, Kings and Panthers didn’t have the same power as the Habs. The Jets know that the CH has power in this matter.

Obviously, the Jets won’t give Dubois to the Habs if they don’t like the price – or if they have no choice. But I believe that comparative market prices are used to establish the Jets’ base… but not the CH’s. This will clearly be the issue of the summer for the Habs.

In Brief

– To be continued in view of the playoffs.

– Good question.

– Good morning.

– He’s good.

– Yes.