NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Pierre-Luc Dubois

Get to Know Pierre-Luc Dubois

Date of Birth: June 24, 1998 (17)
Place of Birth: St-Agathe-des-Monts, QC, CAN
Ht:6’3” Wt: 205 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Center/Left Wing
Team (League): Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)

Statistics

What Scouts See

Craig Button, TSN
Pierre-Luc Dubois of the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles is a player who has pushed himself into the conversation with Laine and Puljujarvi, jumping from tenth spot on the January list to fourth here. He has elite skill, with power and intelligence. Dubois has the ability to play a multi-faceted game balancing all of the essential elements, and is equally adept finishing a play or setting one up. There is so much in his game that reminds me of Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn, including the versatility to play centre. All of these elements put him in the discussion with the Finnish players.

Ryan Kennedy, The Hockey News
Scouts love his combination of size, smarts, edge and competitiveness and with 10 points in his past three games, he is nowhere close to slowing down. Simply put, he’s the most exciting Quebec product since Jonathan Drouin and may have more pro potential thanks to his two-way game.

Dubois himself is impossible to ignore. While he is still working on his explosiveness, he has already grown three inches and 35 pounds since Cape Breton drafted him and in the summer, he trains with Tampa Bay strength and conditioning coach Mark Lambert outside Montreal.

Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects
A dexterous and driven competitor that has all the makings of a dynamic two-way winger. Not the most electric skater, but is shifty and plays to the extent of his physical capabilities; he knows his limits and plays within them, which facilitates a student-like approach to the growth of his game. Possesses high hockey-IQ and is consistent in his efforts. Not the most physical player, but is when he needs to be. All-in-all, Dubois is an invaluable all-around player who plays in all situations and exceeds expectations when the opportunity arises.

Future Considerations
Dubois is a coach’s dream; a big, rangy forward who can succeed in any role asked of him. He is a strong forchecker and defensibly responsible player who plays the entire ice sheet, not just offense. He is hard to contain when he goes on the offensive attack due to his strength, skating ability and puck protection. He is also that guy who hunts down the puck with dogged determination when he loses it. Like to play in traffic and goes to the net. Has a strong shot and can set-up his teammates with well-timed passes. A complete all-round prospect with very high upside.

What BSN Avalanche sees

It’s easy to see why Pierre-Luc Dubois is so coveted. He’s such a complete player with the intelligence and poise beyond his years. He is as strong defensively as he is offensively, making him a formidable two-way winger who can handle any situation. When he has the puck, he has masterful control of it. He can weave his way through traffic utilizing his shifty lateral movement and tight stick handling. Dubois is a monster along the boards, using his size and determination to win the tough battles and generate possession. While not the fastest skater, he has a quick first step that keeps him in the action. His recent growth in height and weight has not slowed him down. In fact, it seems to have added an edge to his game, making him tougher to play against.

Highlights

NHL Potential

Dubois is as much of a sure thing as you can get outside the top three picks. He has the size he needs to compete at the pro level, and his intelligence and on-ice vision give him a leg up on the competition. He’s also extremely versatile, maintaining his skill level in whatever role he’s asked to play. Most importantly, though, he’s a student of the game and continually works on improving. That will make him a favorite of any coach.

Expected Draft Position

Expect Dubois to be an early pick with most agencies slotting him in around fourth overall. He was Central Scouting’s top North American skater but the strong finish of London’s Matthew Tkachuk means he has real competition for being the fourth selection. It’s nearly impossible to imagine him falling beyond sixth overall.

How Pierre-Luc Dubois Fits in Avalanche Organization

Dubois would be a dream pick for the Avalanche as he’d be a wonderful fit alongside Nathan MacKinnon or Matt Duchene. Unless the team trades up for a higher selection, though, a dream is all Dubois would be.