THN.com/podcast. From THN American Pipeline: Beanpot, Michigan News and Predators Prospects Pierre-Luc Dubois [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4ODY4OTYyMDUyNjc5MDE5/usatsi_20318957.jpg] Pierre-Luc Dubois Most of the trade speculation surrounding Pierre-Luc Dubois [https://puckpedia.com/player/pierre-luc-dubois] has the Winnipeg Jets center linked to the Montreal Canadiens. However, recent reports [https://thehockeynews.com/news/pierre-luc-dubois-looks-to-part-ways-with-the-winnipeg-jets] indicate there are other clubs interested in the 24-year-old RFA. On June 15, The Athletic's Eric Stephens [https://theathletic.com/4612415/2023/06/15/pierre-luc-dubois-la-kings/] cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, who reported the Los Angeles Kings could be among the interested parties. Stephens suggested Dubois could take some of the offensive burdens off aging Kings captain Anze Kopitar. Capable of playing wing as well as center, he would provide a physical edge to their forward lines. He could help them buy time for Quinton Byfield to blossom into a No. 1 center or become insurance if Byfield fails to develop as hoped. Dubois' next contract, however, could be an issue for the cap-strapped Kings. He's completing a one-year, $6-million deal and could seek a significant raise. The Jets will likely prefer a sign-and-trade scenario as that will ensure they get a higher return. Stephens believes the Dubois camp will pursue a long-term deal worth an average annual value of $9 million. He also pointed out the center forced a trade out of Columbus before doing the same thing with Winnipeg, raising concerns about compatibility. Dubois' contract could also be a problem for the Nashville Predators. Michael Gallagher of Nashville Hockey Now [https://nashvillehockeynow.com/2023/06/21/is-a-pierre-luc-dubois-trade-on-the-predators-radar/] cited Friedman raising that issue during an appearance on Nashville's 102.5 The Game. PuckPedia shows the Predators [https://puckpedia.com/team/nashville-predators] carrying over $13 million in cap space for next season. However, Gallagher points out that signing Dubois would take up most of it. As for the Canadiens, TSN's Darren Dreger [https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/insider-trading-winnipeg-jets-and-calgary-flames-popular-in-trade-buzz-1.1975564] reports they're willing to wait until Dubois becomes a UFA next July rather than overpay for him in this summer's trade market.
