Ever since it was reported earlier this week that Winnipeg Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois had informed his team of his intentions to test free agency in 2024, it seemed likely that the Dubois storyline would be a major one for this offseason. Now, we have some additional details on Dubois’ choice regarding his future. Murat Ates of The Athletic believes that Dubois “quite sincerely” wants to test free agency, and has “not been shy” about communicating that desire to the team, as well as a desire to play in Montreal “in the long run” specifically. (subscription link)
Ates specifically mentioning Montreal confirms what many had believed about Dubois, that he had his eyes on playing in his home province. Dubois actually was almost drafted by the Canadiens at the 2016 draft, but the Blue Jackets took him third overall, which scuttled that possibility. Now, Dubois could be attempting to finally find his way to the Canadiens. The Canadiens have the opportunity to solidify a Nick Suzuki and Shane Wright one-two punch down the middle at the draft next month, so it’s fair to wonder if the Canadiens’ choice at number-one overall at the draft will ultimately have an impact on Dubois’ future in Winnipeg.
Now, for some other notes about the Jets:
- One other situation worth monitoring in Winnipeg is the situation of first-line center Mark Scheifele. Ates reports that Scheifele’s name has “made it into preliminary trade conversations,” and further adds on that a contentious exit meeting between the forward and the Jets front office could broaden the fracture between the Jets and their other star center. Centers who can score at above a point-per-game rate, as Scheifele has for the past half-decade, are rarely made available on the trade market or in free agency. Teams looking for center help this offseason could add Scheifele’s name to their possible options, and any deal with him involved is sure to have a major impact on the futures of both the acquiring team and the Jets.
- In the midst of news on Dubois, Scheifele, and Blake Wheeler, the ongoing Jets coaching search may have taken a bit of a back seat in the minds of Jets fans. It has become clear that widely reported number-one choice Barry Trotz won’t be an option, and that has left the Jets to sort through the remaining candidates to find their next bench boss. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the following coaches are on the Jets’ radar for the job: two former Manitoba Moose head coaches in Scott Arniel and Pascal Vincent and two former NHL head coaches in Rick Tocchet and Jim Montgomery.
This soon-to-be-boiling mess in The Peg almost makes you wonder if they will target the EBUG legend, himself, David Ayres as their new bench boss.
So PLD wants to go to the Habs. Well, just give in to the brat’s demands and trade him for Caufield and Dvorak and the Oil’s 2nd
He doesn’t want to play in Winterpeg. He’s not desperate
PDL for Anderson,Guhle & a 1st in 2023.
If MTL balks I’d send him to Ottawa & let Pierre deal with him.
PLD for Norris and Branstrom.
It continues to humor me that Montreal Is still obsessed with French Canadian players.
Chipman and Chevy made a complete mess of things here……more so Chipman being a hands on owner with no hockey knowledge. He handcuffed Chevy into keeping Maurice when he should have been fired. Wouldn’t let Chevy trade Wheezer instead overpaying him by double. The room is a complete disaster from the 3 headed monster (Maurice, Wheezer, and Schefishle). The bar is low here, mediocrity is good enough and zero accountability by management and players. Things won’t change as long as Chipman is involved
The Jets are an Alabama yard sale right now, Something Is going on with the ownership or maybe the locker room.
Wow. I thought Winnipeg was supposed to be NHL paradise. Now nobody wants to play or coach there?
9 months of shitty weather will do that to you
Wow-I thought Winnipeg was supposed to be NHL paradise. Now players don’t want to play there? Can’t get someone to coach there?
Looking like a potential rebuild in Winnipeg?
Need a new GM in my opinion but that will only work if the owner steps back and let’s them do their job.
PLD will end up in Montreal and instantly turn into a 30 point player. It’s the Canadian way.
PLD history so far make me beleive that he is a good player, but also a loose canon, I never heard someone that tell he have a great IQ, so stay far from him…