The newest member of the Winnipeg Jets, Pierre-Luc Dubois, is out day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The Jets’ newest member just got out of quarantine and played a whopping two games before getting hurt.
#NHLJets HC Paul Maurice just told @UtilityVoice on the @680CJOB pre-game show that C Pierre-Luc Dubois (lower-body, day-to-day) is out of the lineup today vs #Sens and that LW Kristian Vesalainen draws back in. Jets are staying with 11F, 7D
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) February 13, 2021
Pierre-Luc Dubois Out With Lower Body Injury
Newest Winnipeg Jet Pierre-Luc Dubois is out with a lower-body injury. Jets coach Paul Maurice released the news on Saturday before their game against the Ottawa Senators. The Ottawa Senators that just traded for Ryan Dzingel. It has been a hectic few hours for both clubs.
Everyone knows about the saga between Pierre-Luc Dubois and the Columbus Blue Jackets + John Tortorella. The drama went on for an extended period before the trade to Winnipeg. Star goal-scoring winger Patrik Laine and depth forward Jack Roslovic went in return to Columbus. Dubois had to wait two weeks to play because of Canadian quarantine rules. It was long-awaited, but Dubois finally made his Winnipeg debut against the Calgary Flames.
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The Flames game was a perfect representation of how the season has gone so far for Pierre-Luc. In short, it was remarkably unproductive. In slightly over 13 minutes of ice time, Dubois did not register a single shot on goal. He only won 33 percent of his faceoffs and managed one hit.
Dubois, throughout this season, has been just as bad. He has tallied only one point, which was a goal against the Detroit Red Wings. Additionally, Dubois has a -0.4 goals above replacement and a 0.6 expected goals above replacement per Evolving-Hockey. He hasn’t been a very effective player in his very short stint of appearances this season.
What Does the Future Look Like for the Jets?
Dubois is a 22-year old kid. His ceiling is sky-high, especially on a team where he can play a depth center role. Instead of being thrown to the wolves, he can flourish with Kyle Connor, who was on his line Tuesday and Thursday. The Jets are certainly going to miss him while he is out dealing with the injury. Even if he hasn’t a very effective player this season, any damages, short or long term, to star players in arguably the most critical forward position is going to hurt. The biggest thing for coach Paul Maurice is the use of 11 forwards and seven defencemen. This deployment is a strategy that Maurice has been heavily against, but something he will have to use. How this will work for the Jets is still up in the air, but expect increased ice times for everyone in the lineup.
