Pierre-Luc Dubois will have to get used to it

QUEBEC – Pierre-Luc Dubois underlined in broad strokes the strong attachment he has for David Savardinterviewed at the Pro-Am Gagné Bergeron, Tuesday.

He told how Savard had been a benevolent big brother to him when he joined the Columbus Blue Jackets five years ago. Savard and his wife took him in during his first season in the NHL. Dubois even admits he regrets not staying with them for his second season. Savard and he played in Ohio together for just over three seasons.

TO READ : Jets trust Bowness after disappointing season | Dubois ‘didn’t ask to be traded’ by the Jets

Then came the killer question. Would you like to play again David Savard? Dubois froze, before bursting out laughing.

The 24-year-old Quebec center player will have to get used to it. He will have to answer many questions this season about his future, after being linked for only one year with the Winnipeg Jets.

His adviser Pat Brisson had the rumor machine racing, even before he accepted the Jets’ qualifying offer on July 23.

Brisson had indicated on TVA Sports that Dubois, who is a native of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, in the Laurentians, would not be closed to the idea of ​​wearing the colors of the Montreal Canadiens, hence the question about a possible reunion with his friend Savard.

Dubois has hammered in vain since his signing that he never asked the Jets to be traded, the procrastination and rumors will not stop. Until the case knows its outcome.

Until then, Dubois will receive a salary of $6 million in 2022-23, with the prospect of claiming restricted free agent status again at the end of the season.

« A year or eight years, my contractual situation does not really bother me, » he reiterated in Quebec on Tuesday. “If I was under contract for eight years, I wouldn’t be thinking about the fourth year. I will think about the coming year. This is my approach. I focus all my preparation on the coming season.

“I have a one-year contract in my pocket. The last season was disappointing for the team, but we are starting from scratch with a new coaching staff. »

Video: PHI@WPG: Dubois turns and counts in AN

Above all, Dubois hopes to continue his momentum from last season, which was his second most successful in the NHL with a collection of 60 points, including a personal mark of 28 goals, in 81 games. He also peaked in penalty minutes, with 106.

In any case, he says he is looking forward to the next training camp with optimism.

“I spoke a bit with new coach Rick Bowness. He toured the players. We expect a good camp, the staff has good ideas, I can’t wait to see. I trust the choice ‘Chevy’ (GM Kevin Cheveldayoff) made for the coaching staff. »

In the meantime, Dubois wanted to have a good time with the Savards in Lac-Beauport.

“David has been amazing to me. We had a lot of good times together in Columbus,” he said. I try to come and see him in Quebec every summer. »