Dubois still in quarantine
The Winnipeg Jets made headlines across the National Hockey League when they traded superstar Patrik Laine to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois. The center is eager to join his new teammates on the ice and begin work with his new club, but remains in quarantine a week after arriving in Canada.
“The Manitoba government is comfortable with Pierre-Luc Dubois being granted what was called a ‘working quarantine’ for players during training camp, which would allow him to skate in this upcoming week,” Chris Johnston reported on Hockey Night in Canada, via Sportsnet. “But the federal government has yet to weigh in on that matter.”
The team is still trying to figure out exactly when Dubois’ quarantine period is over, as they are hoping to have it reduced from 14 days to seven days. Jets’ general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff told members of the media last week the team had made the request, but it has yet to be granted.
“It makes a big difference on his availability,” Johnston said. “Obviously, if he can get on the ice this week, it would set him up to start about a week from now. If he doesn’t skate in that time, well, the timeline gets pushed back.”
The Jets opted to trade Laine when it became apparent he wasn’t going to be signing a long-term extension. The 22-year-old was drafted by Winnipeg second overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, with the club hoping he would be the future. Unfortunately, that was not to be the case.
Dubois provides the Jets with a much needed centre though and the club seem more than happy with the deal. “To get a top centre in this environment is virtually unheard of, and that’s why the bidding was fast and furious,” said Jets’ general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff of the decision to acquire Dubois, via Sportsnet. “We wouldn’t have moved a Patrik Laine for anyone that didn’t fit that certain criteria of a top cenetreman or a top defenceman. When that opportunity presented itself, I felt it was necessary that we made that move.”
The Jets are now just hoping to have Dubois in their lineup sooner than later as they continue to compete in the newly re-aligned North division featuring all-Canadian teams. They have 10 points from their opening eight games and could use the help in front of goal.
The Blue Jackets selected Dubois one pick behind Laine, with the third overall selection in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old had spent his entire career in Columbus, putting up a career-high of 61 points during the 2018-19 regular season. He had played five games this season with the Blue Jackets, scoring just one goal.
It’ll be interesting to see how the deal ultimately works out for both clubs in the long-term, but the Jets are just looking to get Dubois on the ice as soon as possible in the short-term. Winnipeg was downed 4-1 to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday evening, having a difficult time putting the puck in the back of the net.
