Speculation Still Lingers Linking Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Canadiens

Pierre-Luc Dubois will likely remain on the Winnipeg Jets for this season. But some speculation insists he won't be long-term and is again linked to Montreal.

Pierre-Luc Dubois was the subject of trade rumors last summer linking him to the Montreal Canadiens before signing his one-year, $6-million qualifying offer with the Winnipeg Jets. That speculation resurfaced last week when the Jets visited the Canadiens.

Dubois is slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1 with arbitration rights. The 24-year-old center will also be a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility.

During the press conference announcing his new contract, Dubois downplayed the conjecture tying him to the Canadiens. However, Sportsnet's Eric Engels felt that talk of the Ste-Agathe-des-Monts native joining the Canadiens won't dissipate as long as he remains noncommittal about his future in Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Sun's Scott Billeck reported Jets coach Rick Bowness sang Dubois' praises over his performance this season. Bowness acknowledged the center will do what's best for himself and his career but will do all he can to keep him in a Jets uniform. Meanwhile, Dubois said any contract talk is saved for the summer.

According to Nick Kypreos, Bowness' efforts could be in vain. Appearing on Sportsnet's Tim and Friends on Jan. 17, the NHL insider insisted that Dubois isn't staying in Winnipeg for the long term.

“There is nothing that can change his mind from what I'm hearing,” said Kypreos. He believes the Jets' surprisingly strong play this season is the only reason Dubois hasn't appeared on any insiders' lists of trade-deadline candidates. Kypreos felt it would be a different story if they were outside the playoff picture.

Dubois won't be moved by the March 3 deadline. Unless he and the Jets agree to a lengthy contract, we can expect another summer of rumors about sending him to the Canadiens or elsewhere.