Winnipeg Jets Rumors: 3 Montreal Canadiens Linked to Pierre-Luc Dubois Trade
The trade winds are swirling out of Winnipeg as the Jets are expected to make a slew of changes this summer. It starts with Pierre-Luc Dubois, who is entering a summer where he's a restricted free agent with a desire to play for the Montreal Canadiens. Look for a deal to go down, perhaps as early as the NHL Entry Draft, and expect to see one of these three Canadiens moved to Winnipeg in the trade:
Kirby Dach
Target #1 for the Jets is Kirby Dach. Ideally, it's just a one-for-one swap here but given Dubois' expected contract and the fact Montreal could just wait until next summer to sign him, there's a lot more to this trade. Dach is only 22 years old and is signed through the 2025-26 season for a very team-friendly $3.36 million annually. Last season he finished with 38 points in 58 games and has a ton of potential to be a first or second-line center.
Looks like Pierre-Luc Dubois is in Montreal 👀 (via @Instahabs) pic.twitter.com/U9aS9Gbwm4
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) May 3, 2023
Pierre-Luc Dubois in an interview last year on Marty St. Louis, who was a coaching consultant for the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2019. pic.twitter.com/Mcy4WyeYHs
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) April 29, 2023
Josh Anderson
The Jets could use a power forward to replace Blake Wheeler and Josh Anderson fits the bill. The rugged winger is 28 years old and signed through the 2026-27 season at $5.5 million against the cap. He holds an eight-team no trade list so we'll be curious to see if Winnipeg makes the no-fly zone. Anderson could fit in nicely with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor on the Jets top line for years to come.
Christian Dvorak
This is what you would call the fallback option for the Jets as Dach is younger and Anderson is perhaps a better long-term fit. Dvorak hasn't meshed very well on Montreal and if it's not the Jets, he could be moved this summer regardless. Last season the 27-year-old recorded 28 points in 64 games. Come July 1st, he'll hold an eight-team no-trade list. If Dvorak is going for Dubois, the Canadiens are going to need to sweeten the pot.
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
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