After watching Pierre-Luc Dubois with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki at the Montreal Grand Prix, we all ask ourselves the same question. Will we see all three of them in the Canadian’s uniform anytime soon? i really want it
• Also read: It wasn’t just Cole Caufield and Pierre-Luc Dubois at the F1 Grand Prix
I really like Dubois and it’s certain that his acquisition could speed up the process of rebuilding the Canadiens. I’m sure General Manager Kent Hughes is very interested, but his Winnipeg Jets counterpart Kevin Cheveldayoff won’t be doing him any favors.
Dubois would be Quebec’s first star forward to be acquired by swap since Vincent Damphousse in 1992. Note that I left out Jonathan Drouin for the simple reason that, for all his talent, he hadn’t really proven himself in the NHL when Marc Bergevin took over on June 15, 2017. Bergevin hoped Drouin would live up to expectations, but that didn’t happen.
We must therefore learn from this mistake. In the case of Dubois, the reality is different. He completed his training in Columbus under the tutelage of John Tortorella. He has proven himself. He’s already had three seasons of 60 or more points in the NHL. He also knows what it’s like to play in a Canadian market and spends his summers in Montreal.
His situation is very different from Drouin’s in 2017. It’s more like Damphousse, who switched from the Leafs to the Canadiens at the age of 25. And Dubois is exactly 25 years old. Their production at the same age is similar. However, one caveat is appropriate. Fans shouldn’t see Dubois as a savior even though he’s an excellent player. He’s not Connor McDavid, just like Damphousse wasn’t Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux.
The big question is the price to pay. Hughes is a good negotiator and could offer a little more than Dubois’ true value considering he’s the best Quebec player available, but he mustn’t fall into the trap of cheating.
An exchange of signatures
As much as Marc Bergevin defined his reign by beating Shea Weber against PK Subban, Hughes was able to define his reign by taking on Dubois. I think we know what to expect from Dubois. It’s a safe bet, but the price has to be fair.
It’s certain to cost Dubois youth and likely one of the two first-round picks in the first round. We could also imagine a player like Juraj Slafkovsky or Kaiden Guhle moving to Winnipeg, and also a prospect like Logan Mailloux. Suzuki and Caufield are here to stay.
The Hope Run
Certainly, unless he compromises for Dubois, Hughes will be a busy man this week in Nashville. I wouldn’t be surprised if he received the second pick, the Anaheim Ducks. With his two first-round picks, including the fifth, he has plenty of room to maneuver.
It is certain that Hughes would turn the transaction over to him in four or five years if he had overpaid and/or Dubois had not delivered the goods. GMs all make mistakes at some point, but Hughes can’t be wrong here. If the price the Jets were asking for Dubois was exorbitant, it would be hard to blame Hughes for not moving on.
The contract desired by the Dubois clan should also be considered. I get the impression that Hughes knows quite a bit about this site. One thing is for sure: The Canadiens will be back in sports news this week.
– Interview by Gilles Moffet
Marchessault’s Resolve
I would like to congratulate Jonathan Marchessault on his Conn Smythe trophy, but especially on his career as a whole. He has all my admiration. He was never drafted but he always believed in his abilities and today he is a Stanley Cup winner and his name is engraved on one of the most prestigious individual trophies along with Jean Béliveau, Bobby Orr, Guy Lafleur, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Patrick Kane, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin to name a few. The last Quebecer to win this trophy was Jean-Sébastien Giguère in 2003, and it restores our image, but more importantly, Marchessault brings hope to all underdogs. Jumping onto the ice and thinking you’re the best is half the battle. This is the marchessault setting.
Memoirs of Jean Beliveau
I’ve never seen Jean Béliveau play, but I’ve known since I was 14 that he was the first recipient of the Conn Smythe trophy. I sat three seats away from him at the Montreal Forum in 1989 or 1990 and asked him to sign my Canadian magazine. He immediately opened the page where he recalled his capture of Conn-Smythe in 1965. He signed it and said to me, “Don’t forget that, little one. I was the first to win this trophy. No, Mr. Béliveau. I will never forget him.
In Vegas, the house wins
Too bad for the Florida Panthers. They had a great run but were eventually caught up by injuries. Hats off to the Golden Knights! From day one, this team had only one goal: to win the Stanley Cup, and it did so in their sixth season. A great lesson for everyone and especially Canadian teams including the Oilers, Leafs and Canadiens. Leaders have never been afraid to make change. They took risks, particularly in the case of Jack Eichel, and as the saying goes; In Vegas, the house wins. I can’t wait to see if goalkeeper Adin Hill will stay. He is free as the air. I still have a little feeling for Marc-André Fleury. He gave a lot to the Golden Knights.
