The wait is finally over for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, as he is out of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.
The elite center was traded Saturday in a blockbuster trade. Columbus traded Dubois and a 2022 3rd round pick to the Winnipeg Jets for forwards Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic, according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
Dubois had not seen eye with management for months and made his feelings known. He requested a trade, signed a new deal, then made sure everyone knew he still wanted a trade. The 22-year-old center is in a class all by himself, showcasing the skills and attributes of an elite center in today’s game.
The situation got so bad in Columbus that his ice time was dramatically cut, sometimes not even seeing the ice for an entire period. Although he did not want to be there he still showed up and played whatever minutes were given to him.
In exchange for the talented center Dubois, the Columbus Blue Jackets received goal-scoring sniper Laine and utility forward Roslovic. Ironically, both Laine and Roslovic both voiced their displeasure with Jets management and both wanted out during the past couple of years, although the exact issue was not clear.
Laine is the big piece going to Columbus. He brings goal scoring and the ability to raise the percentage of powerplay goals. That’s about it. Although he scored a career-high 44 goals in 2017-18 he has been knocked for his inability to play defense. His career plus/minus is 0.
Roslovic can play anywhere in the lineup and can also play either center or right-wing. He has not lived up to expectations, scoring a career-high of 29 points on 12 goals and 17 assists this past year.
All players included in this trade are still very young and have a chance to turn things around for their new club.
Dubois doesn’t need to change anything about his game because there are no holes, just needed a change of scenery. He will play a huge part of the Jets’ future if the Jets choose to resign him.
Laine is a monster at 6’5″ and 206 pounds. The only thing that is bigger is his booming slapshot.
Laine has 2 years and $13.5 million left on his contract, while Roslovic has already signed a new deal with Columbus at 2 years, $3.8 million.
Fans and experts are going to quickly choose winners and losers in this trade, that’s just the way it is. The Winnipeg Jets won this trade. Being able to acquire a piece like Dubois while giving up a decent player gives the Jets the advantage. Dubois is a franchise center who has all the skills to make the Jets playoff contenders for years to come. Yes, losing Laine stinks but Dubois can replace those goals and add more of an all-around game.
Laine, although a top goal scorer in the league, played his way out of Winnipeg. He lacked defensive play and had clashed with management while seeing his ice time declined. Dubois did the same, however, Laine was far more determined to get out. Dubois played the minutes he was given and competed to win, Laine tended to just give up.
In the end, both superstars got what they wanted and are in for a fresh start with their new teams. The drama is over and we can all move on. This trade was a blockbuster that the league has not seen in a while. We shall see how this trade affects the rest of the season and the playoffs but for now, the drama is over.
