Forward Pierre-Luc Dubois reportedly intends to test the 2024 unrestricted free-agent market, which might prompt the Winnipeg Jets to trade him this offseason.
There is a sense that the Montreal Canadiens are interested and reporter Jonathan Bernier of Le Journal de Montreal now reports that the Habs have put together a significant trade offer that was presented to the Jets at the NHL Draft last week. This is what he reports, translated from French:
“The Canadiens have attempted to get their hands on Pierre-Luc Dubois last week. A source close to the situation even revealed that [Canadiens GM Kent] Hughes had made a very interesting offer to the Winnipeg Jets during the draft.”
It is no secret that Dubois would like to play in Montreal and has expressed that desire within team circles and rumours emerged on Tuesday that a monster could come on the opening of free agency, with the Canadiens sending Christian Dvorak as part of a package for Dubois. You have to imagine the Jets would want a decent return involving perhaps a good young forward along with a first-round draft pick or a high-quality prospect.
There is also a speculation that the Jets will look to sign Dubois to a one-year contract and spend 2022-23 attempting to convince him to change his long-term plans and stick around under new head coach Rick Bowness in Winnipeg.
The top forward is coming off a two-year deal worth an average annual value of $5 million with an actual cap hit last season of $6.65 million. He could seek over $7.5 million per season on a one- or two-year contract.
We know that a big trade for Dubois would be impressive ahead of 2022-23, however, with the Jets aware of how badly the Canadiens want him and Dubois’ desire to come to Montreal, maybe GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is trying to make the return price go up some more!
