By: Craig Eagles | Follow Me On Twitter @Eags37
The wild NHL trade winds are blowing. It’s clear the B’s would definitely be willing to pull the trigger on several trades, but the organization should take a very cautious approach when considering adding Columbus Blue Jacket star forward Pierre-Luc Dubois. Don’t get me wrong, Dubois is a fantastic player that could probably help a plethora of teams in the NHL, but where would he fit on the B’s?
The Bruins have their allotment of centers. Sure they need to add another impact scoring winger, but that’s been par for the course for as long as I can remember. Since the days of Nathan Horton, the Bruins have been searching for chemistry with David Krejci. Krejci deserves to play with the same wingers for at least half-season.
The revolving door of wingers that 46 has had to play with is truly unacceptable in my books. Landing Dubois complicates that even more. Where would Charlie Coyle play if you acquire Dubois? Do you really think Dubois is going to be happy playing 3rd line minutes?
Obviously, Coyle would be moved to the wing, which would be fantastic, but he’s far too valuable playing through the middle. In my opinion, at this point, the Bruins need to solidify their backend. Clearly, it’s very early, but the play of Jeremy Lauzon and Jakub Zboril is extremely promising, but the question remains is that a Stanley Cup caliber backend?
Another massive question surrounding a trade like this would be the asking price? How much do the Blue Jackets want in return? Right now, a potential trade involving Keith Yandle would make more sense for the B’s. Yandle would undoubtedly help the power play and could slide in with Miller or Carlo.
He would bring a veteran presence, and as we all know, the Massachusetts native is very familiar with the B’s core from having skating with the group for many years during the summer. Dubois is a fantastic player, and we know what he could bring, but right now, acquiring him only complicates the Bruins roster issues.
In 2016-17 while part of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Dubois looked disinterested playing the game. It was inevitable that he would play for Canada at the World Juniors. At the end of that tournament, the Eagles pulled the trigger sending the big power forward to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. On the surface, it looked like a classic Junior hockey trade, but why would a very solid junior team trade its star player in his third season in the league. If anything, that’s when you load and go for a championship.
It was one of those trades that just didn’t make sense at the time, and to be honest; it still doesn’t. Now isn’t the time to pull the trigger on a massive deal to acquire a player that might not fit the organization’s blueprint for immediate success. Sometimes the best trades you make are the ones you don’t make. Even though Dubois’ name is intriguing, the B’s should steer clear and focus their attention on the backend.
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