Skip to content

Tortorella: Dubois 'hasn't given a reason' for trade request

Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / Getty

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella still isn't sure why Pierre-Luc Dubois wants to be traded, and he offered the budding forward some advice.

"(Dubois) hasn't given a reason why he wants to leave," Tortorella said Wednesday, according to 1st Ohio Battery. "He should get in front of it. That's the way I think you should go about your business and be the best team you can be."

Dubois, 22, signed a two-year, $10-million deal with the Blue Jackets on Dec. 31 as a restricted free agent, avoiding a long-term pact. He reportedly made it known prior to signing that he preferred a change of scenery.

The relationship between Dubois and the club apparently deteriorated during offseason negotiations. The Quebec native said recently that he doesn't want his situation to be a distraction for his teammates.

Tortorella's demanding approach was on full display in the bubble last summer when he and Dubois had a heated exchange on the bench during Game 2 of their qualifying-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 6-foot-3 pivot responded the next game, potting a hat trick in Columbus' victory.

The Blue Jackets selected Dubois third overall at the 2016 draft. He's tallied 65 goals and 158 points through 234 career contests.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox