Columbus Blue Jackets promise to openly deal with Pierre-Luc Dubois as he confirms trade request
Anthony Scultore
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Pierre-Luc Dubois is a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, at least for the next two years. He recently signed a two-year bridge deal with an AAV of $5 million but wants to be traded.
Columbus Blue Jackets to handle Dubois situation
Listen, you have to feel for a franchise like the Columbus Blue Jackets. They are run extremely well and have a solid coach in John Tortorella. Their biggest problem isn’t just trying to lure big name players to Ohio but also keeping them there.
It started years ago when Rick Nash was traded to the Rangers. However, in just the last few years they’ve lost Matt Duchene, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Artemi Panarin. Now, their youngest star Pierre-Luc Dubois wants out.
According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, Dubois’ trade request will be handled the same way as Bobrovsky and Panarin. John Tortorella told him that they will confront it as a group and deal with it openly.
Dubois saying the right things
“I’m gonna be the best player I can be, the best teammate I can be, and the best person I can be,” Dubois said. “I don’t want to be a distraction, so I think that’s the only way.”
While Dubois is saying the right things, it will be near impossible for it to not be some sort of distraction. Furthermore, I’m not sure how well that will play in a locker room led by Nick Foligno.
Dubois Drama in Columbus
It has been a wild few days that began with a report from Pierre Lebrun. He tweeted that the 22 year-old Jackets center may be looking for a “change of scenery.” Aaron Portzline did some further digging and found out he asked for a trade.
So now here we are.
The biggest difference between Panarin and Bobrovsky is that both were heading to unrestricted free agency. In the eyes of many NHL veterans, that is something they earned. They didn’t demand a trade, just wanted to test the market and see what they could get.
Pierre-Luc Dubois is a different case. He’s only been in the NHL for three seasons and hasn’t necessarily earned that right. There’s no doubt he and his teammates will be professionals and get the job done on the ice.
As for it not being a distraction? Well it’s really hard not seeing it have some ramifications. At least off the ice.