Detroit Red Wings Trade Target: Pierre-Luc Dubois

Could Pierre-Luc Dubois possibly be plucked away from Columbus for less than market value?

My gut says no. But the latest in what is becoming a more dicey situation with the Blue Jackets, Sportnet’s Chris Johnston tweeted this one out:

Yikes. So either Dubois is being held to limited minutes because a trade is closer than we know or he’s further managed to drive a wedge between himself and John Tortorella. Which as those who have seen Torts in some of his famous clashes with the NY Post’s Larry Brooks, he’s not one to trifle with.

General manager Steve Yzerman, of course, is no stranger to players demanding trades. There’s  his dealing of Martin St. Louis  and then his very calm, methodical handling of Jonathan Drouin who he flipped for Mikhail Sergachev,  which of course now looks like a massive win for Yzerman and the Lightning.  Being on the other side of this in the past, Yzerman has a unique perspective if he chose to approach this.

The pros in a deal like this is gaining that 1-2 punch down the middle in acquiring Dubois. Detroit

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would have Larkin and Dubois, which would enable them to put Fabbri on the third line, making the top 9 far much stronger. The Red Wings saw first hand what Dubois can do, as he scored on a breakaway Monday afternoon. Additionally, it’s probably fair to assume Dubois’ offensive abilities would be a little less handcuffed in coach Jeff Blashill’s system.

But the real question is what would it cost to get him? This is where it gets interesting. There’s no doubt that Yzerman could squeeze Columbus, knowing they don’t have as much leverage with a player who wants out and what seems like a coach who’s washed his hands of him. In the same breath, everyone knew both Drouin and St. Louis wanted out and Yzerman still got a great deal for both. So this ultimately comes down to a bigger question:

What would Columbus want? And can the Red Wings outbid other suitors? Teams like the New York Rangers or Los Angeles Kings could absolutely send more in the way of a top-end prospect or even be willing to part with higher picks than Detroit would. Contenders like the Lightning, or the Avalanche could be aggressive with an offer. Don’t count out a deal with Winnipeg, who has its own issues with Patrik Laine and could maybe do a deal there.

The biggest two prospects the Wings could dangle would be Lucas Raymond or Moritz Seider, neither of whom I can see Yzerman parting with. Maybe someone like Jonatan Berggren and Dennis Cholowski, paired with a few 2nd rounders and a future first? (Earliest 2023). I honestly see that as a stretch and one where it just wouldn’t be enough for the Blue Jackets. The other problem is that Columbus needs someone to put into the top six and the Wings just don’t have that capital. I find it very unlikely Bertuzzi, or Mantha would be shipped to Columbus as Larkin is untouchable.

If there’s anyone who could get the most out of sticky trade situation it’s Steve Yzerman, but between other teams who have more to offer, and what is a sensible route to hold tight on draft picks, it just seems unlikely that PLD would be wearing the Winged Wheel.