It’s not because Pierre-Luc Dubois met Cole Caufield Canadian Grand Prix that he gets closer to the Canadian. On the contrary, as of this writing, there is nothing to indicate that a transaction between the Habs and the Winnipeg Jets is imminent.
A source closely linked to the file tells me that if the CH wants to clamp down on Dubois, it needs to be more serious about its offers. This information does not surprise me at all.
As I wrote earlier this week, Dubois’ bargaining chip and salary demands are a problem for the Habs.
The Jets never let him go, even though they know Dubois wants to leave Winnipeg as soon as possible. As a limited free agent, Dubois remains their property.
The most attractive option for the Jets would be to sign Dubois for eight years and then trade him. It would be the best avenue for the education that would lead him to ensure they can count on the Quebec forward’s services in the long term.
Remember, Dubois celebrates its 25th birthday on Saturday, Quebec National Day.
high price to pay
What are the Jets asking the Canadian?
We doubt it. They are interested in the young established players of the Montreal formation and their top prospects.
However, you can forget about Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield safe from a transaction. With long-term agreements, they became the cornerstones of the team. It is now up to them to carry the torch.
The team is theirs.
My pinky tells me Hughes has no intention of getting rid of Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris, Arber Xhekaj or Logan Mailloux either.
Trading for any of these players would go against the team’s recovery program and the Stanley Cup remains a long way off
Patience is the key
The ceiling will hardly move.
Another hurdle is Dubois’ salary demands. The Canadian could hardly justify to Suzuki and Caufield, who are growing with the team, that a player coming from another organization receives more money than them.
Another danger: It looks like salary cap increases will remain modest for years to come. The bankruptcy of the American television network Bally Sports affects several sports teams in the United States, including a dozen of the NHL.
This will negatively impact the league’s revenue.
As we speak, Bally Sports-affiliated teams have no local television deals for next season. But that certainly wouldn’t stop the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings, who are interested in Dubois’ services, from signing him.
A week before the draft, my informant tells me that the list of teams inquiring about the Jets’ requests for Dubois is getting longer and longer. But there were others who weren’t convinced of Dubois’ qualities.
Why?
Because this is the second time that Dubois has asked for a swap.
Hence this reaction from a former manager of an NHL team who was recently in office.
“Make no mistake about his talent,” this person told me.
“Pierre-Luc Dubois is a good player. But if he asks to be traded twice, that makes him give up.”
Oupelaille!
As they say, everyone has their own opinion.
