Rumor: Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Anaheim Ducks

Pierre-Luc Dubois has become the recent poster boy of trade rumors. The Columbus Blue Jackets weren't as surprised as everyone else in the hockey world as today we shared how the team knew all summer, however no information was leaked. 

Darren Dreger of TSN mentioned today a trade could happen sooner than later and Pierre LeBrun went as far as naming a few teams and one of those being the Anaheim Ducks.

LeBrun on Insider Trading talking potential suitors for Dubois: "I bring up the Anaheim Ducks, they have a lot of young assets. Pierre-Luc Dubois, with his age and his skill set will be a player of interest, I believe, for the Ducks."

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 7, 2021

Dreger on Insider Trading talking Dubois: "He's not happy, obviously, hence the trade request... Dubois is going to play in good faith, he promises to be a good teammate, but there is a sense that it would be better for both sides to get something done sooner rather than later."

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 7, 2021

The Ducks are going to need someone to take the keys from Ryan Getzlaf and Dubois is a great option. The 22-year-old Dubois is a big body who skates well and can finish. For a center he scores a ton of goals and his 27 last season at age 21 is nothing to shake a stick at. 10 points in 10 playoff games later and Dubois would prefer to play somewhere else. 

Immediately everyone looks at head coach John Tortorella, however the specific reason hasn't yet been mentioned by Dubois or his camp. It may come out it may not, regardless he's everything a franchise wants in a number one center.

The Blue Jackets are preparing themselves for life without what they thought was a core piece and now the motive behind the Josh Anderson for Max Domi trade is a little more clearer. 

Columbus could think more long term and consider prospects in the trade. Perhaps the likes of Jamie Drysdale or Jacob Perreault or if they want some young immediate impact they could look at World Junior stand out Trevor Zegras. High-end skill with a sense of swag and a ton of potential, Zegras is someone the Jackets should target. 

INSIDER TRADING: #TSNHockey Insiders discuss...

🏒 #CBJ weighing options on Dubois
🏒 Teams that would make sense for Dubois
🏒 🇨🇦 officials to be used in North Division games
🏒 Latest on Leafs/Andersen, NYI/Barzal

WATCH 🌍: https://t.co/3MvCT7SXnq pic.twitter.com/MYt5VXIrZx

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) January 7, 2021

If the Ducks won't give up their top prospect the Jackets should turn their attention to Hampus Lindholm who would look perfect on their 2nd-pair defense. The 26-year-old is making $5.20 million for the next two seasons, which is a contract that would slide in nicely with Seth Jones making $5.4 million and Zach Werenski making $5 million. 

Lindholm has the complete game to fit in with the Jackets. One downer is all three contracts would come off the books after next season. One other way to look at it is it would give the Jackets a chance to reset if things go sour. 

Jackets fans are screaming to throw in a Max Jones or Sam Steel and maybe you have a deal. 

Listen, one things for sure the Jackets have no choice but to trade Pierre-Luc Dubois. Let's just hope for Jackets fans they get full value and the pieces fit their puzzle. They're now missing what they thought was a franchise piece. 

Photo credit: John Cordes/Icon Sportswire