Earlier this week, Elliotte Friedman estimated the chances of the Quebec native joining the Canadiens this summer were 95%.
In a recent article, the excellent Marco D'Amico from the website MTLHockeyNow proposes a new option to bring the Quebec native back home: an offer sheet. If Kent Hughes dares and moves forward with this strategy, he could single-handedly tie the hands of the Jets.
First, it should be noted that Dubois, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, could become an unrestricted free agent as early as next summer (2024) if he signs a one-year deal. With this information in mind, look closely at what Hughes could try:
D'Amico gives the example of an offer sheet for one season worth $6.3 million. The Jets would have one week to match the Canadiens' offer or choose to let him go and accept the compensation. For this amount, the compensation the Jets would receive is a 1st round pick and another 3rd round pick.
You might think that the Jets will agree to match the $6.3 million offer without thinking? This is where it gets interesting. Indeed, by accepting the offer, the Jets cannot trade Dubois for a period of one year. They would thus risk seeing their player leave for free agency the following summer, without even having a chance to trade him at the next trade deadline.
Knowing this, it is in the Jets' best interest to trade Dubois before the next draft and try to get the most out of it before the offer sheet period arrives. At that point, they would have a significant dilemma on their hands: either accept the two draft picks, which is better than nothing, or have Dubois for the next season without anything more.
POLL | ||
MARS 29 | 1076 ANSWERS Major offer sheet incoming for Pierre-Luc Dubois? Do you like the idea of the offer sheet to Pierre-Luc Dubois? | ||
Yes | 422 | 39.2 % |
No | 654 | 60.8 % |
List of polls |