Very few players have had as much discussion about them this offseason as Pierre-Luc Dubois. Even after accepting the one-year, $6 million qualifying offer from the Winnipeg Jets, the discussion surrounding Dubois hasn’t subsided. The Athletic’s Murat Ates and Arpon Basu recently had a chance to sit down with Dubois and discuss where he stands with his contract, rumors of a trade request and his impending UFA status in the summer of 2024 (subscription required).
In particular, when asked about his decision to accept the qualifying offer and his plans for free agency in two years, Dubois explained that this one-year contract at the rate of 6 million of dollars was what he and his agent, Pat Brisson, believed was the best for him at this point in his career. When asked specifically about his willingness to sign long-term in Winnipeg, the Jets star said that would have to be decided at the conclusion of his current contract.
Attending the draft in Montreal with the expectation that he would be traded to the Montreal Canadiens that night, as reported by Martin Leclerc of Radio-Canada Sports and confirmed by The Athletic, which has since been withdrawn, Dubois stated that he did well because his bank had invited him and he lived near the area. Ultimately, Dubois made it clear that he did not ask the Jets for a trade, telling Ates and Basu, “If I wanted out, I would have asked for a trade. I didn’t ask for a trade.”
The sit down interview with The Athletic shows that Dubois is intent on sorting out what could be seen as a divisive and difficult situation. Regardless of what he and his representatives want and don’t want, the forward is bound to spend the next two years in Winnipeg if the Jets want him to, in order to keep the situation as amicable as possible, even if he doesn’t have his heart in Winnipeg . would be wise Dubois’ answers were also rather specific and not elaborated, not necessarily clarifying the situation much, apart from making his formal position clear.
Still, the decision to make his position clear, and his views taken as true, represents a good-faith move to put speculation to bed. With a contract in place, Dubois and the Jets can focus on next season as the team tries to bounce back from a disappointing 2021-22 that saw them finish sixth in the Central Division. In addition to helping Winnipeg succeed, Dubois will also have a chance to build on his 28-goal, 32-assist campaign and build value for his next contract as well as his impending free agency. For now, it looks like the Dubois rumors will be put to rest as the 24-year-old looks set to enter next season as a core member of the Jets.