More Talk of Pierre-Luc Dubois Possibly Heading to the Canadiens

Rumors and speculation resurfaced recently about Winnipeg Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois being linked to the Montreal Canadiens. It continued this week.

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Rumors linking Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Montreal Canadiens have popped up throughout this season. The conjecture resurfaced as the Jets cling to the final Western Conference wild-card berth.

In Monday's 32 Thoughts podcast episode, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman speculated the Jets could look at shaking things up following this season. Dubois could be part of those changes. He's an RFA this summer who's also a year away from UFA status.

There's a belief that Dubois, 24, could forego re-signing with the Jets in favor of joining the Canadiens next summer as a UFA. Friedman believes the Jets have spoken with the Canadiens on and off this season about perhaps making a deal where the Canadiens get Dubois earlier, and the Jets get something in return.

Montreal Hockey Now's Marc Dumont believes the Jets have little leverage in that scenario, while Canadiens GM Kent Hughes holds all the cards. If unable to work out a trade for Dubois, Hughes can wait until next summer to sign him.

Dumont indicates the Habs aren't hurrying to accelerate their rebuild process. He considers it unlikely that Hughes will part with significant assets for Dubois. However, Dumont didn't dismiss the possibility of the Jets getting desperate and lowering their asking price.

Another key factor would be how much money Dubois would want to sign a long-term deal with the Canadiens. He might be keen to play for Montreal, as the rumors claim, but that doesn't mean he'll accept a hometown discount. He has 58 points points in 67 games this year, which is a better point-per-game pace than his 60 in 81 matches last season. Coming off a one-year, $6-million contract, he could seek between $8 million and $9 million annually on a seven- or eight-year deal.

Whether the Canadiens would pay that much, however, is another matter.