Rumor: Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Calgary Flames

The Pierre-Luc Dubois sweepstakes are steaming hot at the moment and if you ask hockey insider Pierre LeBrun, there's a deal that could make sense for the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames.

It was a busy offseason for the Flames. The team improved, especially with the addition of goalie Jacob Markstrom. What didn’t happen, despite all the speculation, was Calgary doing something bigger as far as dealing either Sean Monahan or Johnny Gaudreau. This could be an appealing trade partner for Columbus if a Dubois deal is more about getting players back who can help the Jackets now. Is there something here around Dubois and Monahan?

This trade would make a ton of sense as the Flames would be hitting the 'refresh' button, getting younger and cheaper, and Dubois and Matthew Tkachuk at 22 and 23-years-old would give the Flames two foundational pieces to build around for the next decade.

The Jackets would be getting a proven center in the league in return, who has three years left on his deal at a reasonable price of $6.375 million. Last season for the Flames, Monahan recorded 48 points in 70 games and he would take a lot of pressure of Max Domi who once Dubois leaves is the default number #1 center by the sounds of it. 

It can't be Mikko Koivu, right?

Keep an eye on these two teams as we know 100% Dubois is getting dealt and there's a sense he's headed to western Canada.

Photo credit:  Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire