BHN Puck Links: Should Dubois For Barzal Be A Legit NHL Trade Rumor?

It’s no secret that if the Boston Bruins actually pursue disgruntled Columbus Blue Jackets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, they will have plenty of competition on the NHL Trade market. 

After the New York Islanders finally came to terms with center Mathew Barzal, agreeing to a three-year, $21 million on Saturday, longtime Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons proposed a blockbuster trade involving the 23-year old star. In his weekly column, Simmons suggested that Islanders would be better suited to turn around and see if the Columbus Blue Jackets would do a 1-for-1 swap, Barzal for Dubois. Woah!

At first glance, and after Barzal told the media Saturday, that he loves being an Islander, one would ask why legendary and hall of fame Islanders General Manager Lou Lamoriello, with the new UBS Arena arena set to open hopefully at some point before or just after the 2021-22 season begins, trade away his team’s brightest star? 

Well, as Simmons pointed out, compared to Barzal, the 22-year-old Dubois fits the Lamoriello-Barry Trotz system a lot better with a three-zone game far superior to Barzal. Here’s Simmons’ reasoning for this blockbuster NHL trade proposal that I actually agree with:

‘If I’m Lou Lamoriello, now that I’ve signed restricted free agent Mathew Barzal, I’d turn around and trade him to Columbus for Pierre-Luc Dubois, who wants out. Barzal may be the more dynamic offensive player, but Dubois is the better three-zone player, which is Islanders style, and he’s three inches taller and almost 30 pounds heavier than Barzal, and $2 million a year less expensive.’

Sounds like the ultimate cap-maneuvering wizardry Lamoriello could pull off and make his team better in the process. Stanley Cup teams are built up the middle and then of course need a great goalie, which by all accounts the Islanders will have for the foreseeable future with 25-year old Ilya Sorokin. There has been plenty of Dubois for Patrik Laine NHL trade rumors floating around but that just seems like one problem for another. Dubois would certainly prefer heading to the Island in the shadow of Manhattan, as he’s made it clear he wants to play on the big stage. Ironically, the team on Broadway, the New York Rangers are also another team, like the Bruins, interested in Dubois. 

Now onto your Boston Hockey Now Puck Links:

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Dallas Stars have already been hit hard by COVID and on Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins had to shut down for the day due to a COVID scare. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

What if the Boston Bruins have to face similar COVID situations and what are they doing to avoid such a scenario? (Boston Hockey Now)

Can Matt Grzelcyk be the next Boston Bruins power play quarterback and fill the void left by Torey Krug? (Boston Hockey Now)

Could defenseman Alec Martinez turn out to be just as important as Alex Pietrangelo for the Vegas Golden Knights? (Vegas Hockey Now)

San Jose Sharks forward Kurtis Gabriel is sick and tired of White Supremacy running rampant in the United States and on Saturday, he blasted those responsible for the terrorist attack on the United States Capitol Wednesday. (San Jose Hockey Now)

For Murph’s Music Pick Of The Day, anyone who follows me knows how I feel about what happened on The Capitol and what’s going on in our country now. I’m not here to be political though. Just like so many, I have been guilty of creating division and for that, I apologize. Right now, all we need most is to unite, and to help those blinded by hate, find their vision of equality and unity again.

Peace be with you and God Bless America!