Evidently the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators have a younger ahead unwilling to signal with their staff, and it’d give each groups cheap trigger to swap their gamers in the long run. Pierre-Luc Dubois, initially drafted third general by the Columbus Blue Jackets, was traded to the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 23, 2021, in a deal that noticed Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic go to Columbus. Alex DeBrincat, who was initially drafted thirty ninth general by the Chicago Blackhawks, was traded to the Senators for a first- and second-round draft choose in 2022 alongside a third-round draft choose in 2024.
Dubois is coming off a profession season, scoring 27 targets and 36 assists for 63 factors whereas DeBrincat posted a career-high in assists with 39 and is one 12 months faraway from his second 41-goal season. Each gamers completed fourth in complete factors for his or her respective groups; at face worth, this makes it look extra even for both facet when contemplating a possible commerce.
DeBrincat’s future as a Senator is reliant on the staff’s sale course of, and this leaves common supervisor Pierre Dorion in a troublesome state of affairs. He’s exploring all choices in terms of DeBrincat, and whereas he want to signal him to a long-term extension, DeBrincat desires to know the way forward for the staff and see the path offered by the brand new staff homeowners.
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As reported first by Pierre LeBrun on Insider Buying and selling, participant agent Pat Brisson knowledgeable the Jets that Dubois has no intention of signing any contract with the group forward of the 2023-24 season. There have been stories all season that he has needed to be a Montreal Canadien, which shouldn’t come as a shock to followers. Whereas it could possibly be a pot-stirring sort of report, the Quebec-born-and-raised Dubois definitely want to swimsuit up for his hometown staff.
What Dubois Brings to Ottawa
The Senators are definitely a staff that’s tightly knit, and so they play for one another, particularly when issues get rougher on the ice. The staff had three gamers within the 2022-23 season who posted over 100 penalty minutes. Dubois, who’s listed at 6-foot-4 and weighs a stable 214 kilos, would match into this rough-and-tumble mould in Ottawa. In every of his full seasons with Winnipeg, he has posted a big penalty minute complete. In 2021-22, he had a career-high 106 penalty minutes and had a decrease 77 penalty minutes the next season.
Dubois doesn’t hit rather a lot, nevertheless, he has the body to be one of many main forces with the Senators if acquired. He recorded simply 71 hits within the 2022-23 season, whereas he was ninth on the Jets for hits, he can be tied for sixteenth on the Senators.
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Dubois brings a tame power-forward presence to any staff he’s on and the Senators may use the added depth down the center. He averaged 18:27 an evening and recorded a number of photographs, which helped him obtain a 13.2 capturing proportion. Most significantly, he’s extremely efficient on the facility play and when the sport is tied late within the recreation. These are two areas through which the staff would nearly definitely deploy Dubois whereas additionally rounding out his recreation to be extra bodily and swimsuit the Senators’ taking part in model.
What DeBrincat Brings to Winnipeg
DeBrincat is smaller than Dubois, listed at 5-foot-8, weighing in at 178 kilos. He’s fiery and intense and performs till the ultimate buzzer sounds which is valued by a lot of coaches. He’s additionally actually good at minimizing high-danger possibilities when he’s on the ice. Most significantly, he has extremely quick foot pace. His foot pace is one thing that may be simply paired with Nikolaj Ehlers and for good purpose. DeBrincat, who’s one season faraway from his 41-goal season, wants a linemate that elevates his play whereas offering the identical factor he wants. Ehlers can use a linemate who can complement him and shoot the puck when obtained in an efficient method.
Jets followers are passionate, which is noticed simply at a house recreation. DeBrincat liked the Unique Six market highlight that he obtained in Chicago. The electrical energy of a Jets dwelling recreation at any level within the season goes unmatched, and DeBrincat would feed off the power, particularly if he finds his 41-goal type once more.
What the Commerce May Look Like
There’s a state of affairs that leaves followers for each the Jets and Senators shocked. Dubois and DeBrincat would each be the principle items on this commerce, the Senators do want a goaltender and will goal Connor Hellebuyck. He’s out there and could possibly be the lacking puzzle piece the Senators are in search of.
The Jets may purchase some items from the Senators that assist their future, because the staff is trying to retool and never rebuild. A deal involving Dubois and DeBrincat is a blockbuster-worthy commerce; together with Hellebuyck would make this one of many largest trades that we see this offseason. Realistically, Kevin Cheveldayoff would entertain both a 1-for-1 swap or a commerce involving each gamers and picks going each methods.
Each the Jets and the Senators have rather a lot to think about when making a commerce involving established gamers who may doubtlessly flourish as star items elsewhere. It’s in each groups’ curiosity to maneuver these gamers now and discover a potential match for Dubois and DeBrincat in both Winnipeg or Ottawa. The largest problem staring Winnipeg within the face continues to be the saga the place Dubois desires to be part of the Canadiens. Making a market that isn’t unique to Montreal can be an attention-grabbing story going ahead.
