Pierre-Luc Dubois deal: Jets want established players in return

Ah, the famous Pierre-Luc Dubois saga that will be at the center of the field hockey universe this summer.

Whatever the week or day, there always seems to be something new and interesting to say about the 24-year-old Quebecer.

The Winnipeg Jets center has been linked to the Montreal Canadiens for ages, as we know that Dubois intends to play at home in Quebec.

A reunion between Dubois and the CH therefore seems logical and inevitable.

But it’s not quite that simple.

Why isn’t it?

Well, because Dubois is a very good field hockey player, and the Winnipeg Jets don’t want to part with him.

However, they will most likely be forced to trade the Quebecer between now and next season if they are unable to sign him to a contract extension.

And that’s where the Tricolore has the big stick.

If the Jets don’t accept the CH’s offers, Kent Hughes may well decide to wait until next summer, when Dubois will be an uncompensated free agent, to bring him back to Montreal for free.

So, if the Jets don’t want to lose Dubois for nothing, they’ll inevitably have to lower their price, which so far is far too high.

The CH clearly wouldn’t give Kirby Dach or Nick Suzuki for a player they could get for free next summer.

So the Jets owe it to themselves to at least try to work with the CH on a possible deal.

What could the CH give the Jets?

Well, according to Elliotte Friedman, the Jets will be looking for established players who can help them right away in return for Dubois and company.

I’m sure you’ll agree with me that Winnipeg doesn’t want to rebuild with draft picks and prospects.

In fact, Elliotte Friedman explained last night during intermission of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final that the Jets have made it clear to other NHL teams: there will be no rebuilding in Winnipeg.

It’s a decision that comes as quite a surprise to everyone, considering that the logical avenue for the Jets would really have been a rebuild.

That’s really what it would take in Winnipeg, but management doesn’t seem to understand that.

In short, this means that the CH won’t be able to offer the Panthers’ first-round pick, for example, or prospects like Jayden Struble or Riley Kidney.

The Jets want established players.

That’s good to know for Kent Hughes, who can now concoct a different offer potentially revolving around Josh Anderson, one of the CH’s only established players with value, and one we’re willing to part with, unlike Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on Pierre-Luc Dubois over the coming weeks and months.

In the wind

– Will Babcock really be back in the NHL soon?

– Indeed, he seemed more frustrated than anything else.

– It’s going to be a great rivalry.

– Nice tribute from Neymar to Lionel Messi, who will be leaving PSG this summer.

“My brother… It didn’t happen the way we thought it would, but we tried everything” ⚽️https://t.co/UjKZUxlhNO

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) June 4, 2023

– It’s a start in Barcelona!