Pierre-Luc Dubois is definitely a fascinating character.
Posted yesterday at 4:01 p.m.
Smiling, he explains that he has had enough of the speculations and rumors, false or true, which circulate about him. However, if its objective is to put an end to it, perhaps it should revise its strategy.
The lengthy virtual press conference hosted by the Winnipeg Jets on Monday to highlight the centerman’s new contract left members of the media with nothing concrete to sink their teeth into.
The Quebecer has just signed a one-year agreement with the Jets. This is the second time in less than two years that he has signed a short-term contract. In December 2020, after lengthy negotiations, he accepted a two-year offer from the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team that drafted him. A few days later, he was packing his bags for Manitoba.
Dubois certainly debunked two myths. First, he insists that he never asked the management of the Jets to trade him. Then, his presence in the first round of the draft, held at the Bell Center two weeks ago, had absolutely nothing to do with a potential transaction involving him.
“I went there because I live 15 minutes from the arena and I’m a hockey fan,” he said.
A bank that had hired him to give a talk earlier that day invited him to his dressing room. He spent part of the evening with his father Eric, assistant coach with the Jets school club, and another part with representatives of his agency. “Lots, lots and lots of speculation” gave birth to a different story on social media, however.
Connections with the Canadian
There is nevertheless this mysterious declaration of his agent which he has difficulty justifying. In an interview with TVA Sports on July 13, Pat Brisson, one of the most influential personalities in the NHL, did not leave much room for ambiguity. To the question of host Louis Jean “Is there a possibility that the Canadian will go and get Pierre-Luc Dubois? “, Brisson retorted: “Montreal is a city where he would like to play. »
The agent enjoyed relative freedom of speech since his client, a restricted free agent, was then without a contract.
On Monday, the striker argued that these remarks had taken on “disproportionate” importance. “People take the little things and multiply them by 20,” he said.
According to him, Brisson would have said that his client “maybe, one day, could play” with the Canadian. Verification made, the “maybe” never occurs in his statement.
If the question were asked of any player, they would answer that playing for the team in the city where they grew up is an option. It’s no different whether you come from Winnipeg, Boston or Los Angeles. It’s just life.
Pierre-Luc Dubois
However, there is no smoke without fire. And smoke, in the case of Quebec, there is a lot.
On July 12, journalist Martin Leclerc of Radio-Canada wrote that the Canadiens were actively discussing with the Jets with the aim of acquiring Dubois and getting him to sign a “long-term” agreement. “The talks almost brought [leurs] fruits in the draft”, added the columnist, who is not in the habit of launching rumors to the winds. This information, moreover, does not contradict Dubois’ version.
Short term
In any case, it is increasingly difficult to imagine Dubois in the uniform of the Jets for a long time.
PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, PRESS ARCHIVES
Pierre-Luc Dubois
Twice, he avoided a direct question from a journalist who asked him if he wanted to test the free agent market when he will have access to it, in the summer of 2024. “There will be other decisions” to take in the future, he limited himself to saying.
To another reporter who pointed out to him that the Jets could well resolve to trade him rather than risk losing him without getting anything, the hockey player recalled that both the players and the teams were evolving in a “business”. “Guys are traded and others sign long-term contracts. »
“Do you realize that you yourself are contributing to speculation about yourself? asked another journalist colleague. “Yes, I understand that,” replied Dubois.
About his refusal to sign a long-term agreement with his current team, he launched into a spiel on the theme of indecision.
“I don’t know what I’m going to eat for dinner tonight, so I don’t know what I’ll be doing in two years, in six years or in two months,” he said. It’s human nature to change your mind.
“I just turned 24, I’m not the same person as one, two, three or four years ago,” he continued. I’m getting older, I’m getting more mature – at least I try. If I sign a long-term contract, it could take me to the end of my career. It’s not a decision that is taken quickly, I have to think about it for a long time with my parents, my girlfriend. During my next contract, I may have a family. »
And to launch this sentence, also subject to many interpretations: “There are so many things that can happen, I don’t want to act too quickly and regret it later. »
Is he hesitant to commit to Winnipeg or to commit at all? ” I did not think about that. »
He nevertheless had good words for the Jets organization, which never “abandoned” him during the more difficult sequences. He says he is concentrating on his summer preparation and approaching the next training camp with enthusiasm.
Will it be his last in the blue and white jersey? Maybe. Maybe not.
“Next summer is next summer,” said Dubois candidly.
Thereupon, he is not likely to be misquoted.