The Winnipeg Jets are expected to be one of the most busy teams in the NHL this offseason as they have a bevy of key players eligible to become unrestricted free agents in 2024 and it is very questionable that they’ll be able to come to terms with the majority of them on an extension.

Perhaps the most likely player of all to be on the move from Winnipeg this summer is forward Pierre-Luc Dubois. According to a report from The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Dubois has made it clear to the Jets that he will not be signing any sort of contract and would prefer to be moved elsewhere.

“Pierre-Luc Dubois and his camp informed the Jets a year ago that they weren’t inclined to sign long-term, and now my understanding is that veteran agent Pat Brisson has let Winnipeg know that it’s probably best to move on this summer rather than do a one-year deal with the restricted free agent and stretch this out further,” Lebrun writes.

“In short, they’ve let the Jets know that Dubois won’t re-sign with them this summer and are hoping the sides can work together to facilitate a trade that works for everyone.”

This isn’t the first time that Dubois has been unhappy with a team and tried to force his way out through trade. Back in 2021, Dubois made it quite clear he wanted to leave the Columbus Blue Jackets and shortly after head coach John Tortorella gave him just 3:55 of total ice time in a game, he was moved to Winnipeg.

The talented Quebec native has had offensive success with the Jets both at his natural center position and on the left wing in his three seasons with the team. Dubois has tallied 60-plus points in both of his last seasons, setting his new career-high last year with 63 points (27g, 36a) in 73 games.

Winnipeg will be forced to make similar decisions with Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck, Blake Wheeler, Nino Niederreiter, Brenden Dillon, and Dylan DeMelo. However, Elliotte Friedman has reported that they will not be entering into a full rebuild. That means names like Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Josh Morrissey are likely going nowhere.

A handful of those names could be relevant to the Washington Capitals’ search for top-six forward help this offseason. Dubois, in particular, is notable because the Caps have inquired about him in the past when he was still in Columbus.

With that being said, Dubois has made it somewhat obvious in the past that he would like to eventually end up with his hometown Montreal Canadiens. Trading for a seemingly-always-disgruntled player with that desire may not be worth the risk for a team like the Caps.

Headline photo: @duber18/Instagram