A deal for Pierre-Luc Dubois is imminent

Earlier in the day, the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators completed a transaction.

Nashville wanted to reduce its payroll, and was able to part with Ryan Johansen's hefty contract (with 50% of salary withheld), in return for the services of former Montreal Canadien Alex Galchenyuk.

We know that the Preds had just officially added themselves to the Pierre-Luc Dubois derby. They thus joined the Kings and the Canadiens.

Los Angeles, in turn, made a transaction, with the aim of freeing up payroll. The Kings called up the Arizona Coyotes to trade them young offensive defenseman, Sean Durzi, who commanded a salary of $1.7 million for next season.

🚨 Trade Alert! We've acquired Sean Durzi from the LA Kings in exchange for a 2024 2nd Round Pick (via Montreal)

Read more:https://t.co/B89CvXI6uz pic.twitter.com/HD9SNoYTiI

– Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) June 24, 2023

Of course, with his current contract, Durzi is likely to ask for a substantial salary increase, having enjoyed two excellent first seasons in the show.

According to CapFriendly, the Kings now have $9 million left on their books following the trade. With a number of young players up for extension, such as Gabriel Vilardi, Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Rasmus Kupari, Los Angeles will have its work cut out for it when it comes to making a Pierre-Luc Dubois trade.

As for 23-year-old Vilardi, he could demand a good salary, having just scored 23 goals and 41 points in just 63 games, while bringing an interesting physical aspect to the table.

Now, David Pagnotta mentions that there's a lot of movement today, and that the Winnipeg Jets may be working on a big trade.

Pierre-Luc Dubois comes to mind, of course.

Although Dubois is the first name that comes to mind for a major Jets trade, there's also Mark Scheifele, who is of interest to the Boston Bruins.

With the Preds and Kings active today in freeing up salary on the cap, is the Tricolore still in the running to acquire PLD?

Honestly, I wouldn't be disappointed if they weren't, since the price tag for his services, plus the salary attached to it, doesn't appeal to me all that much. That's less money for our young players.

We'll be keeping a close eye on the matter.

In gusts

– You'll have to be there on Wednesday to find out.

– Stay tuned.

– Daniel Brière is said to be on the verge of completing a monster deal.

– Matvei Michkov 2nd, Will Smith 7th, there's a surprise on this list.

– Sad news for the Montreal Alouettes organization.

– Interesting.