Pierre-Luc Dubois

Lore & Background

Dubois grew up in Rimouski, Quebec, and played in the 2010 and 2011 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with the Rimouski Océanic minor team. He was drafted fifth overall by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft and was the league's top-scoring 16-year-old in his rookie season. Leading up to the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, he was the top-ranked North American skater and described as a multi-dimensional player. He was traded to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in December 2016.

Dubois began his NHL career in 2017–18, playing centre to wingers Artemi Panarin and Josh Anderson. He broke the Blue Jackets rookie scoring record previously held by Rick Nash with his first career hat-trick. In August 2020, he recorded the first playoff hat-trick in Blue Jackets franchise history. After signing a two-year, $10 million contract in December 2020, he requested a trade two weeks later, leading to a benching in January 2021 and a subsequent trade to the Winnipeg Jets.

With the Jets, Dubois scored his first two goals for the team in a 4–3 overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks, including the overtime winner. His 2021–22 season saw major improvement with 28 goals and 32 assists. Reports indicated he informed the Jets he did not intend to sign a long-term deal and would test free agency in 2024, with interest in playing for the Montreal Canadiens. He accepted a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer in July 2022 before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in June 2023, signing an eight-year, $68 million contract. After one season with Los Angeles, he was traded to the Washington Capitals in June 2024.

Reader's Guide

Dubois's tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets was marked by early success, including breaking the franchise rookie scoring record and scoring the team's first playoff hat-trick. However, his relationship with the organization soured quickly after signing a two-year contract in December 2020, as he requested a trade two weeks later. The situation became untenable, culminating in him being benched after the first period of a game in January 2021. He was traded to the Winnipeg Jets days later.

His time with the Jets was inconsistent. After a disappointing first season limited by injury and a 24-game goalless streak, he rebounded in 2021–22 with career highs in goals. Despite this, he informed the team he would not sign a long-term extension, leading to speculation about a trade to the Montreal Canadiens. He accepted a one-year qualifying offer before being dealt to the Los Angeles Kings, where he signed an eight-year contract but was traded after only one season to the Washington Capitals.

Internationally, Dubois represented Canada at multiple IIHF World Championships, earning silver medals in 2019 and 2022. He was one of only two 17-year-olds invited to Canada's selection camp for the 2016 World Junior Championships. His career has been defined by high draft pedigree, early NHL success, and a series of trade requests and team changes.

Did You Know?

• Dubois was born on the same day he was drafted by Columbus: June 24, 2016.
• He scored the first playoff hat-trick in Blue Jackets franchise history on August 6, 2020.
• His mother Jill is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, making him a dual citizen of Canada and the United States.
• He began playing hockey at age three in Germany, where his father played in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.