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Welcome Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Rangers rumor mill

By Jason Katinas

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: General Manager Chris Drury of the New York Rangers speaks during a press conference prior to the jersey retirement ceremony for Henrik Lundqvist taking place before the game between the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2022 in New York City. Henrik Lundqvist played all 15 seasons of his NHL career with the Rangers before retiring in 2020. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: General Manager Chris Drury of the New York Rangers speaks during a press conference prior to the jersey retirement ceremony for Henrik Lundqvist taking place before the game between the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2022 in New York City. Henrik Lundqvist played all 15 seasons of his NHL career with the Rangers before retiring in 2020. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 19: Andrew Copp #18 of the New York Rangers steals the puck from Pierre-Luc Dubois #80 of the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at Madison Square Garden on April 19, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 19: Andrew Copp #18 of the New York Rangers steals the puck from Pierre-Luc Dubois #80 of the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at Madison Square Garden on April 19, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The Cons

Though the Dubois and Panarin connection were a regular season success story, they did not enjoy the same levels of success in the playoffs. In just 16 playoff games they were a minus three (-3) in even strength goal differential, giving up 13 goals while scoring 10. They would add three on the power play to even their overall goal differential, but it was a far cry from the +61 the were during the regular season.

Dubois has also proven himself to be an undisciplined player. Over the past two seasons he led the Jets in penalties taken with 59, including three misconducts. His 59 penalties taken were 21 more than the next closest Jets player. To put this into context, Ryan Strome has taken much flak for his time spent in the box, yet he only took 43 penalties, including two fights and two misconducts during the same time span.

Another point of concern may be Dubois’ attitude. In 2019, he had requested a trade from Columbus and forced their hand with a sub-par effort resulting in his being benched by John Tortorella. Now with Winnipeg, Dubois informed the team that he intends to test free agency as soon as he is eligible to do so, leaving the team with just two years left of his services. This information has most certainly prompted the Jets to consider trading him now while his value is higher as a restricted free agent. Whichever team acquires him must be careful to ensure he will in fact want to play there long term.

This leads directly into the biggest issue with acquiring Dubois. Signing him to a short term deal makes little sense as it would allow him to reach free agency. However, signing him long term means encroaching on his unrestricted free agent status years, which generally raises the costs to sign a player. Can the Rangers afford the risk, or financially afford such a player? Dubois is coming off a contract with a six million annual average value. At six million the Rangers would be pressed against the cap ceiling this year. Anything higher and it becomes almost untenable.

Additionally, as so far as the salary cap is concerned, the Rangers must keep focus on how this off-season’s dealings will affect their ability to retain their own RFA’s next season. Alexis Lafrenière, Filip Chytil and K’Andre Miller are all due new contracts following this upcoming 2022-23 season. It is no exaggeration to say that the spirit and sacrifices of the rebuild are at stake when considering a trade of this magnitude.

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