Montreal Canadiens: Are the Kings Clearing Space For Dubois?

The Montreal Canadiens have long been rumoured to be the destination of choice for Pierre-Luc Dubois. He already talked his way out of Columbus and told the Winnipeg Jets he won’t be signing there long term either.

His agent spoke publicly last offseason about Dubois desire to play in Montreal. He is a restricted free agent right now, but he can just accept his qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent in a year if he wants to do that. Then, theoretically, he could sign with the Canadiens if that is where he wants to be.

However, with his wish to leave Winnipeg, it appears he will be traded in the coming days as the Jets know he will be walking away in a year if they keep him. At least if they trade him now they will get something in return.

But, does it make sense for the Canadiens to trade for him? If he really wants to play here he can wait a year and sign. That would cost the Canadiens zero players or draft picks. If they choose to get in front of it, they would have to give up some assets to acquire Dubois now.

It is starting to sound like the Canadiens are not interested in giving up pieces to get Dubois now. It also sounds like the Habs may miss out on Dubois (at least for now) since they are not willing to pay top dollar to get him.

It appears the Los Angeles Kings may be the front runner for Dubois now. They traded away Sean Durzi, a solid young defender who put up 38 points in 72 games last season for a second round pick. That cleared up $1.7 million in cap space and began speculation they were going to acquire someone and needed that cap space to do so.

Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period reports the Kings are saving up for a big move that is in the works.

The Kings now have $9 million in cap room, but also need to find a starting goalie. They need to re-sign RFA’s Rasmus Kupari and Gabe Vilardi as well. Unless one or both of them are traded to Winnipeg.

Could the Kings be about to swoop in and land Dubois? If so, would he sign a long term deal and give up on his supposed dream of playing in Montreal? I mean, it is Los Angeles so probably. There is no way the Canadiens are going to match an offer that includes Vilardi, so Dubois will surely be in Los Angeles and not Montreal in 2023-24 if the Kings make that offer.

The long term contract that comes after that would be up to Dubois. If he really wants to play in Montreal he can ensure he becomes a free agent in 2024. If he likes what he sees in Los Angeles and decides he is satisfied to play there, then the Canadiens may never get him.

The chance of Dubois getting traded to Montreal this offseason seemed slim anyway. How could the Canadiens justify giving up big pieces of their future to acquire him when they think they have a really good chance of signing him next year?

It wouldn’t make sense, and it is starting to sound like he is destined for Los Angeles. The only question is, will there be a contract extension agreed upon immediately? If it is a one year deal, you can bet right now the Canadiens are going to be signing him on July 1, 2024.

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