Buffalo Sabres Draft Options: Pierre-Luc Dubois
If the Buffalo Sabres are going to move up in the draft, this two-way winger is worth more than a look.
So far this offseason, we have thrown out some trade scenarios, such as the Buffalo Sabres swapping places with the Edmonton Oilers or the Sabres trading out of the top 10 in the 2016 NHL Entry draft.
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A popular train of thought is that the Buffalo Sabres would pick up either Matthew Tkachuk or Jakob Chychrun if they traded up to 4th, but there is another option we have not yet considered here: Pierre-Luc Dubois, of the QMJHL Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
Compared to someone like Alexander Nylander, Dubois may not wind up being as pure a goal-scorer; however, Dubois is consistently referred to as the most complete forward in this year’s prospect pool. That doesn’t mean Dubois cannot score – he managed to compile a stat line of 42-57-99 in just 62 QMJHL games this past season – just that he is not going to be a pure sniper like Nylander.
At 6’2″, 205 lbs. Dubois gives the Buffalo Sabres a legitimate power forward and a dynamic playmaker if the Sabres choose to play him at center. He’s athletic, uses his frame and strength to control the puck long enough to make a play, and is the sort of player who can shut down the opposition’s best scorer.
Here’s what Curtis Joe of Elite Prospects had to say about Dubois:
"He makes the players around him better, serving as an example of what hard work and skill can and will be able to produce. A similarly punishing two-way forward with size and zero deficiencies, Anze Kopitar, is the type of player Dubois will aspire to become at the next level. Pierre-Luc Dubois has the potential to develop into an elite two-way forward that excels as a positive catalyst in every facet of the roles he can play, be it the dynamic scorer, the set-up man, the intimidating power forward, or the defensive-minded shutdown guy. He is the type of player nobody likes to play against."
Hey – since there’s no chance the Sabres can steal Kopitar away from the Los Angeles Kings in my lifetime, they may as well draft the second coming of him!
I love Dubois’ ability to lead the forecheck, set up in front of the next, backcheck, and lay the sort of hits on players that will have them looking over their shoulders. If the Buffalo Sabres want to compete for Lord Stanley’s Cup, they need more two-way players like Dubois. I’ve always hoped that Zemgus Girgensons or Johan Larsson will develop into more than just their current third-line roles, and there’s still time for one if not both of them to do so, but Dubois looks to have greater offensive potential than either Z or Larsson, and more potential as a shut-down defender than Matthew Tkachuk.
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Moving up to the 4th makes sense for the Buffalo Sabres, since the Edmonton Oilers should be looking for defense and can afford to drop down to 8th. If such a move happens, the Sabres will still not be able to pick the draft;s big three of Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, or Jesse Puljujarvi, but the “consolation prizes” named Tkachuk, Chychrun and Dubois are certainly no slouches. It all depends on what the Sabres’ front office is looking for, but it is fairly safe to say that Buffalo only moves up if the team values a top-6 forward over defense, in which case Pierre-Luc Dubois is worth the pick.
Enjoy his QMJHL highlights and share your thoughts below!