The ongoing saga and proverbial dark cloud that was Pierre-Luc Dubois and the Columbus Blue Jackets has finally come to an end. On Saturday morning, the Blue Jackets sent Dubois, along with a third-round draft pick in 2022 to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Jack Roslovic and scoring winger Patrik Laine. A blockbuster deal, to say the least. All three players included in the trade get a chance at a fresh start in brand new cities. Let’s dive in and further dissect the transaction from both sides of the spectrum, shall we?
To Columbus: Patrik Laine & Jack Roslovic
Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen was “under the gun” right from the moment Dubois made it public that he wanted “out” of Columbus. In exchange for his (now former) number-one centerman, the only Finnish executive in the NHL countered with two good youngsters who should easily step into the Jackets lineup upon completion of their 14-day quarantine period. Let’s start with Laine.
Few across the hockey landscape can score goals quicker and more efficiently than Laine. As a player, the Finnish goal-scoring sensation is easily one of the best pure goalscorers in the NHL with three 30+ goal-campaigns already under his belt. He’s flashy, skilled, and just one of those guys who loves to play the game. At 6’4, 200 pounds, the Tampere, Finland native is big, good around the net, and can score just about anywhere on the ice. This should bode well for the Jackets who at times mightily struggle to provide offense. Early indications are that the Blue Jackets players and staff are thrilled to have Laine on board. They love his flair for the game, personality, and goalscoring acumen. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out for the 22-year-old.
In Roslovic, the Blue Jackets acquired a skilled winger with top-6 potential who is ironically born and raised in Columbus. Mired in a contract dispute, Roslovic gets a chance at a fresh start with the Jackets. It is just what the doctor ordered for someone who was clearly unhappy and unsettled in the city of Winnipeg. In 71 games last season with the Jets, Roslovic tallied 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) with a plus-four rating. Taken in the first round, 25th overall back in 2015, I think Roslovic is going to have a real nice showing under Jackets head coach John Tortorella. Hockey fans from far and wide will certainly be watching.
To Winnipeg: Pierre-Luc Dubois & a Third-Round Pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft
Dubois wanted out of Columbus and got his wish. Now it’s time to deliver and “pay the piper” in the all-Canadian North Division with the Jets.
At 22 years of age, and ironically selected one pick later (3rd overall) back at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Dubois is an immensely talented two-way centerman that’s just oozing with size, skill, and speed. A complete powerhouse of a player, I think this is an excellent addition for the Jets for a variety of different reasons. For one, Dubois joins a Jets club that’s stacked with offensive weapons including the likes of Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Kyle Connor.
In addition, the Jets now have a bonafide 1/1A presence down the middle of the ice forming a dynamic duo alongside the likes of Scheifele in the “Peg”. We have a good old-fashioned “hockey trade” which is, at times, a rarity in today’s game. Dubois will certainly be under the microscope as he hopes to quickly become acclimated to a team that’s going to be in a fight to qualify for the postseason. Like all moves and transactions in the NHL, time will be the true test as to who the ultimate winner is. Stay tuned, Jets fans.
The Jets also received a third-round draft pick from the Blue Jackets in the deal.
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