Columbus Blue Jackets: How Good Can Pierre-Luc Dubois Be in Year Two?
After surpassing Rick Nash‘s rookie goal-scoring record, Columbus Blue Jackets fans can’t help but wonder how good Pierre-Luc Dubois will be in his second year as a pro.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are relishing in the payout from selecting centerman Pierre-Luc Dubois “PLD” over the more hyped Jesse Puljujarvi in the 2016 NHL draft. Even if top brass Jarmo Kekalainen could have envisioned PLD’s success, it’s still sinking in for CBJ faithful.
Columbus Blue Jackets fans weren’t anticipating a franchise, rookie scoring record to be broken (again) this past season. For a number of reasons, Rick Nash has been considered the poster boy of Blue Jacket offense since the team’s expansion season. Warranted or not, he is entrenched in CBJ lore. As the Jackets age though, stars will be born and some will fade.
The explosive debut season by Dubois has redefined what Jacket backers can hope for from a rookie offensive player. PLD’s 48 points (20G, 28A) are maybe more significant than some might think. Consider the 19 year old started the season as a third-line winger and his work becomes more impressive.
As the Caps put a bookend to the Jackets season, there’s no time like the present to reflect on possible 2018-2019 outcomes. A big part of this is being optimistic about young talent. PLD embodies this projecting.
The million dollar question(s) coming out of Columbus then becomes, how good can Dubois be in his second season? Will he fall victim to the sophomore slump? Let’s assess.
Related Story: Reflecting On Dubois vs. Puljujarvi
How Good Can PLD Be?
Rick Nash scored 39 points (17G, 22A) in his rookie effort and gurus knew this was a tip of the iceberg sort of situation. Dubois not only scored nine more points, but he changed positions mid-season and will enter 2018-2019 between two all-star wings.
Columbus Blue Jackets
As much as Kekalainen and CBJ scouts hoped PLD would pan out as a center, he had been playing on the wing for years. To fully prospect how good Dubois can be, it’s important to know he’s still new to his position.
Back to Nash for a second. In his second year, he did not slump. Tallying 57 points (an 18 point leap), he scored 41 goals and was instantly the Blue Jackets top offensive threat. Even though PLD is considered a more balanced scorer, if he were to score 18 more points, that puts him at a whopping 66.
A second year of chemistry amongst Dubois, right-wing Cam Atkinson and second-year Jacket Artemi Panarin should only bolster PLD’s odds of putting up even more points. With goal scorers to either side, PLD is spoiled with options but has shown he can find the back of the net on his own as well.
I wouldn’t expect a Nash-like 41 goal output, but Dubois’ potential increase is exciting.
Lastly, it would be silly to overlook the countless benefits of knowing your line mates ahead of the season, and position for that matter. When you factor in all of these variables, the future for Dubois feels more than bright.
Next: PLD Shines in World Championship
Of course nothing is certain, especially in a physical sport like hockey. If healthy though, the sky is the limit for a rare talent like Dubois. Columbus Blue Jackets fans would be wise to slow down and soak up his his growth from third line winger, to potential NHL all-star center.