Pierre-Luc Dubois: tensions in Winnipeg may have prompted him to leave

Between now and the draft, Pierre-Luc Dubois’ name is one that will come up often in the small world of the NHL. The Quebec forward, who has asked the Jets to trade him, is likely to leave Winnipeg between now and the amateur auction, and his name is generating interest.

Of course, he is constantly linked to the CH, but don’t rule out a club like the Kings, who also seem to be in the thick of the race.

Even though he seems to want a contract that will pay him at least $9M per season (probably on an eight-year deal), we agree that a guy like PLD has assets to intrigue other clubs. We’re talking about a guy with good size who’s capable of racking up some sixty points a season while playing center in a top-6 team.

That said, the fact that he’s already on his second NHL trade request (when he’s only 24 years old) dampens the spirits of some, who see him as a “selfish” guy. However, Alexandre Pratt published an excellent paper this evening in which he supports another theory: could it be the tensions in the Jets dressing room that are behind his current request?

In Winnipeg, we know the situation isn’t rosy. There’s tension between Rick Bowness and some of his veterans, including former team captain Blake Wheeler. Knives were flying after the club’s playoff elimination, and things are looking problematic.

Add to all this the fact that Patrik Laine wasn’t exactly treated well by Wheeler and Mark Scheifele when he arrived in town, and it’s easy to see why a number of guys have asked to leave Winnipeg in recent years.

Clearly, then, Dubois isn’t playing for a club where everything seems to be hunky-dory at the moment. Is it “selfish” to want to leave such a toxic environment?

When he asked to leave the Blue Jackets, the situation once again seemed rather nebulous. The club’s stars were leaving in droves, and even Josh Anderson wanted out.

Once again, it’s hard to blame Dubois for wanting to leave an organization that seemed to be taking a nosedive.

Since the start of his career, Dubois seems to have been caught in the wrong situations. Some would say he should have made sure he was part of the solution, but we don’t know the extent of the damage: maybe there really was nothing he could have done to correct the situation.

And that’s why, like Alexandre Pratt, I think calling him a “diva” is far too easy a conclusion. If he does it a third time, I’ll start to believe it, but I want to see him in a good situation before I come to that idea. And that situation could be Montreal.

En rafale

– I agree.

“There’s no point in getting Connor Hellebuyck from the CH!”

Listen to @thetender1987 comment on the latest rumors surrounding the @NHLJets goalie with @LangloisMario

🎧👉 https://t.co/Kef8gc3MGO pic.twitter.com/ldQSH2m5Hv

– 98,5 Sports (@985Sports) June 13, 2023

– The Flames hope so, clearly.

– Nice read.