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Canadiens Draft Options: Pierre-Luc Dubois

By William Mccomb |
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Noah Juulsen on stage with team executives after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Noah Juulsen on stage with team executives after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The top ranked North American skater seems to be the perfect fit as a potential Montreal Canadiens draft pick.

Truth be told, I wasn’t planning on doing a draft profile on Pierre-Luc Dubois. Not because he lacks talent or potential but because I did not believe the Canadiens had a shot at drafting him. He’s the top ranked North American skater and should go no lower than 5th overall.

The Canadiens were linked to possibly moving up a month ago. Talk died down but Elliotte Freidman made a small mention of the possibility in his most recent 30 Thoughts article. So with talk apparently picking up again, we take a look at the likely reason for the Canadiens to move up.

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Draft Rankings/Mock Drafts

Sportsnet – 5th

Draft Site – 5th

ISS – 5th

McKeen’s – 7th

TSN Mock Draft – 5th

Hockey Prospect – 4th

Future Considerations – 4th

In Freidman’s 30 Thoughts article, he mentioned that the Blue Jackets could be looking to trade the 3rd overall pick. The Oilers are another team that could look to trade their pick and move down. This is important as the Canadiens would obviously have to trade up to get Dubois.

Dubois is a big center(6-2, 200) and he is also from Quebec, making him a true homegrown talent. Size and political agenda aside, Dubois has a ton of skill and knows how to use it. Comparisons for him have ranged from Anze Kopitar to Jamie Benn to James Neal. Dubois is a true power forward who is also very good defensively.

Dubois spent 2015-16 with the Cap Breton Screaming Eagles. As a 17 year old, he ranked 5th in the QMJHL in goals(42), 6th in assists(57), 3rd in points(99), 6th in Plus/Minus(+40) and 5th in Points Per Game(1.60). Those numbers are impressive. Even more impressive is the fact that every player who finished ahead of him are between 1-3 years older than Dubois.

What the Scouts Say

Bill Placzek of Draft Site:

He was strong on the cycle, a terrific competitor, and a frame that could easily fit more muscle and girth. He had all the makings of a first round pick at wing. The move to centre has given him more freedom to be creative in the attack zone and he still plays a reliable defensive game. Can be equally effective at setting up plays and scoring. He also is getting a leg up on adding muscle to his entire body. He does have a long stride stride that he can improve on. Competes well in all three zones. Has great vision and a real nice set of hands and is dedicated at improvement in every phase. One of the safest picks on the board.

Joe Curtis of Elite Prospects

A phenomenal two-way power forward that thrives under pressure. He brings versatility, being able to play as a center or a winger, as well as elite skill and agility. His athleticism is exemplified in his strong skating that allows him to back-check hard, explode up the ice in-transition, or propel himself up into hits that opponents won’t soon forget. His defensive zone play is excellent; he proactively finds and takes away shooting and passing lanes, and makes it tough on opponents to pinpoint any daylight. A similarly punishing two-way forward with size and zero deficiencies, Anze Kopitar, is the type of player Dubois will aspire to become at the next level. Pierre-Luc Dubois has the potential to develop into an elite two-way forward that excels as a positive catalyst in every facet

Next: Canadiens Draft Options: Defenceman Dante Fabbro

Potential Fit With Canadiens

Dubois would be the first big French-Canadian center the Canadiens have had since they foolishly traded away Pierre Turgeon.

The question really isn’t about Dubois’ fit with the Canadiens as he fits everything fans want out of a Canadiens 1st line center. It is more with what they’ll have to give up to have the chance to take him. The cost to move up to the 3rd or 5th spot is likely to be very expensive.

I can’t see any potential trade likely happening until draft day. I don’t believe the Canadiens would be comfortable to trade up only to see Dubois go to another team before they picked.

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