List of teams that I believe have inquired with Columbus on Pierre-Luc Dubois, obviously some with more seriousness than others (in no particular order): Anaheim, Minnesota, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Ottawa, Rangers, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington and Arizona.
I spoke with a well placed source that doesn’t believe the Jackets would trade Dubois to them or anyone else in the Metro. There is of course the possibility of realignment but at this moment, it’s expected divisions will revert to pre-pandemic set up.
The source also added that the Rangers are going to be in a position very soon to go after some big named players and cited the prospect depth pool. “Everyone can’t play here,” I was told.
Still, there’s a chance that if the Rangers present the best offer, Columbus won’t let being within a division stop them.
Eventually, I’m guessing next summer, the Rangers are going to get around to finding another top-6 centre for their talented lineup. Can you imagine if that’s Dubois? A 1-2 punch at centre of Mika Zibanejad and Dubois and all that talent on the wings… Yikes. There’s absolutely no question in my mind the Rangers will be among the many teams who check in with Columbus. The fly in the ointment is that Columbus ideally would rather avoid trading within their own (normal) division. So there’s that. But as far as a need and fit, this is a good one.
Pierre LeBrun