Winnipeg Jets fans got their first glimpse of the team’s potential lineup with Pierre-Luc Dubois on Sunday.
The promising young pivot took part in his first official practice with the club since he was acquired from the Blue Jackets on Jan. 23 in a blockbuster deal that sent sniper Patrik Laine and centre Jack Roslovic to Columbus.
While Laine and Roslovic have already suited up for the Blue Jackets, Dubois has yet to see the ice for the Jets as he quarantined for 14 days due to the Canadian government’s more stringent COVID-19 precautions.
“It felt good to finally get out there. Two weeks of just working out in your living room keeps you, to a certain extent, in shape, but there’s nothing like skating out there and today was a good practice,” Dubois told reporters.
In practice, Dubois slotted in between Kyle Connor and Trevor Lewis on the team’s third line and joined the second power play on the right-wing half-wall with Nikolaj Ehlers, Neal Pionk, Mathieu Perreault and Andrew Copp. Adam Lowry also mixed in for reps on the second PP as a net-front presence.
#NHLJets line rushes:
Ehlers-Scheifele-Copp
Vesalainen-Stastny-Wheeler
Connor-Dubois-Lewis
Perreault-Lowry-Appleton— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) February 7, 2021
PP1 stays the same: Scheifele, Wheeler, Connor, Stastny, Morrissey
PP2: Dubois (on RW half wall), Copp, Perreault, Ehlers Pionk
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) February 7, 2021
“I felt good out there skating with (Connor) and (Lewis) — two amazing players. (Connor) is one of the most underrated players in the NHL and (Lewis) brings that experience, he’s helping me with all the systems and everything, he can pass the puck, he works really hard,” said Dubois.
The Jets hope Dubois can make his debut Tuesday when they’re back in action against the Calgary Flames.
The 22-year-old put up just a single goal in five games to start the season with the Blue Jackets after requesting a trade and falling into coach John Tortorella’s doghouse.
Dubois is coming off a 2019-20 campaign when he put up 49 points in 70 games, adding 10 points in 10 post-season games.
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