Report: Blue Jackets to trade Pierre-Luc Dubois to Jets for Patrik Laine
It appears the Columbus Blue Jackets have a trade in place for disgruntled forward Pierre-Luc Dubois.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the Jackets are trading Dubois to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic. According to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline, the Jets will also acquire a third-round pick from Columbus.
TSN's Frank Seravalli adds that the Jets are retaining 26% of Laine's salary for the 2020-21 season.
Dubois had requested a trade after agreeing to a two-year, $10 million deal with Columbus during the offseason. The team essentially ignored the request until this week, when it became obvious Dubois wanted out of Columbus.
After averaging 17 minutes per night through the team's first four games, Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella benched Dubois after playing just under four minutes against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday because he wasn't putting in enough effort.
Dubois has just one goal in five games this year after tallying 49 points (18 goals, 31 assists) in 70 games last season. The Blue Jackets drafted him third overall in 2016.
The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported Friday that several teams were interested in Dubois, including the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals, among others.
It's unclear when Dubois, Laine and Roslovic will make their team debuts. Dubois will be subject to Canadian COVID-19 restrictions, while Laine and Roslovic will have to clear similar protocols in accordance with league policies.
The Jets placed Laine on injured reserve on Friday with an upper-body injury, so he likely won't make his Blue Jackets' debut any time soon.
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