Pierre-Luc Dubois's future with the Winnipeg Jets remains uncertain. If he doesn't stay long-term, the Montreal Canadiens are speculated to discuss getting him.

Media conjecture linking Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Montreal Canadiens surfaced last summer when his agent suggested his client might one day like to join the Habs. The 24-year-old center downplayed those remarks after agreeing to a one-year, $6-million contract with the Jets. However, the rumors persist, tying him to the Canadiens.

Dubois will be an RFA on July 1, but he's a year away from UFA eligibility. On March 8, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun speculated this could be headed toward a trade unless Dubois signs a long-term deal with the Jets.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman also felt this could continue during the off-season. During a March 9 appearance on The Jeff Marek Show, he said he believed the Jets and Canadiens occasionally discussed Dubois during this season.

Adding Dubois could accelerate the Canadiens' rebuilding process. The Ste-Agathe-des-Monts native would provide the Habs with much-needed size and experienced two-way skills at center.

Whether Canadiens GM Kent Hughes believes Dubois would be a worthwhile piece of the Canadiens' rebuild remains to be seen. He could dangle the 2023 first-round pick he acquired from the Florida Panthers or draw from his deep pool of promising young players to make an enticing pitch to the Jets.

CapFriendly shows the Canadiens with $72.9 million invested in 17 roster players next season with rising star Cole Caufield to re-sign. However, they could get another $10.5 million if required should Carey Price remain on LTIR as expected.

That would give Hughes sufficient room to acquire Dubois and re-sign him to a long-term deal worth around $8.5 million annually. It would also leave enough room to ink Caufield to a hefty raise.