Report: Even With Extension Signed, Pierre-Luc Dubois Prefers Trade

If you're a Columbus Blue Jackets fan it's certainly a bitter sweet announcement as the team has signed center Pierre-Luc Dubois to a two-year contract extension worth $10 million. While having Dubois at training camp is exactly what the fans wanted to hear, the news about him still preferring a trade is horrible for the fan base.

And there’s the bridge deal. Really made the most sense for both sides to go this route. Whether or not this leads to a trade over the next year, we shall see. https://t.co/CvKI8VGfob

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 31, 2020

According to a report from Pierre LeBrun and Aaron Portzline of the Athletic, Dubois lost faith in the team during negotiations and this bridge deals allows for the potential of a trade to still exist. 

Here's more from Portzline's report regarding Dubois' future in Columbus:

Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekäläinen would not comment on the report and declined to say whether Dubois had formally requested a trade. Dubois’ agent, Pat Brisson, also declined to comment publicly.

One source told The Athletic that the relationship between Dubois and the Blue Jackets changed during negotiations this fall.

The Blue Jackets may have been willing to sign Dubois to a long-term contract that would have reached into his unrestricted free agency seasons, but apparently a short-term “bridge contract” was preferred by Dubois’ camp for two reasons: (1) It gives Kekalainen time to seek a trade for Dubois and get a return that is commensurate with his value, rather than force an immediate trade. (2) It keeps Dubois from being locked in with Columbus long-term.

Dubois was a third overall pick at the 2016 draft and the team considered him a piece of their foundation. It will be curious to see how long it takes for Dubois to be traded or if the team can convince him to stay.

Photo credit: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire