Observations:

February 2018 – With 10 goals and 13 assists in 52 contests, Dubois has served a key role on the Blue Jackets' injury-depleted forward crew. Most recently centering their third line between Cam Atkinson and Panarin, he's spent about 85% of his 5v5 play this year next to Josh Anderson and just slightly less with Panarin. Dubois has been a solid even-strength component, but done the most damage on the man advantage, registering eight of his 23 points on the power play. He's currently manning the second unit with Anderson, Bjokstrand and new-acquired Jussi Jokinen. While his TOI per game stands at 15:55 over the campaign, and this was originally envisioned as somewhat of a developmental year, he regularly logged over 20 minutes per game in early January, including a 24:59 performance on January 7 against Florida. He's also lent a welcome physical presence, averaging 1.6 hits per game. Kevin Wickersham

November 2017 – Following a solid training camp, 19-year-old Dubois cracked Columbus' opening night roster and after a slow start with relatively little ice time, has seen better results lately with two goals in his last four contests and creeping over 20 minutes TOI in their last tilt. He seems to be gaining responsibility now, centering the Panarin – Josh Anderson line and could see his production increase further as a result. Kevin Wickersham

September 2017 – A productive Dubois looks confident in his second Traverse City Prospects Tournament, Centering the top-line flanked by last year's QMJHL MVP Vitaly Abramov and Calvin Thurkauf, he's thus far registered two goals in as many contests along with a plus-three and six penalty minutes. Dubois is surely hoping preseason success will translate into an NHL role come opening night. Kevin Wickersham

August 2017 – Admitting perhaps he played it a bit too conservatively in an effort to display a well-rounded, two-way game during his somewhat underwhelming 2016-17 campaign, Dubois vowed to be more aggressive in the upcoming year. His World Junior Summer Showcase efforts may have been a good omen, as Dubois registered a goal and an assist for Team Canada in dropping their final contest 7-5 to the USA squad. He will also participate in the early September Traverse City Prospects Tournament prior to training camp. Kevin Wickersham

September 2016 – Many people – myself included – thought it was a foregone conclusion that Jarmo Kekalainen would select his fellow Finnish countryman, and consensus #3 player in the draft Jesse Puljajarvi when the Blue Jackets won the third selection during the NHL Lottery.  For almost a month leading up to the draft there were rumblings that Columbus was very high on Cape Breton’s Pierre-Luc Dubois but must people saw it as a smokescreen and a ploy to generate offers for the pick and there were certainly conversations had about the pick.  Most notably, Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray has stated publicly that he had a number of conversations with Kekalainen in regards to the 3^rd overall pick but nothing materialized from those discussions.

Dubois is already a world-class two-way power forward who has spent time at both center and left wing over the last two seasons and entered the draft as NHL Central Scouting’s #1 overall rated North American Prospect.  More than a few scouts compared his game to current Los Angeles Kings superstar Anze Kopitar, and it is not an unfair assessment.

At just 18 years old, Dubois already boasts a 6-foot-3, 205 lb frame and clearly has the size to make the jump to the NHL as early as next season.  Whether or not the Blue Jackets – an early favorite for a lottery pick in the 2017 NHL Draft – are willing to burn a year of his Entry Level Contract on a season that is very likely meaningless, is something worth following.  At the very least I think Dubois gets the requisite 9 game NHL “look-see” in Columbus before being sent back to Cape Breton for another year of seasoning.  If he doesn’t stick with the big club this season, I would expect Dubois’ name to written in ink as the #2 Center for the Blue Jackets to start the 2017-2018 season. Erik Schiefer

June 2016 – Columbus shocked the hockey world by selecting Dubois 3rd Overall in the 2016 Entry Draft. Not at all undeserving, the dual centerman/winger was highly coveted by the Blue Jackets and will battle for a roster spot in training camp. Columbus has room down the middle for Dubois to be a key contributor on the squad as soon as the team feels he's ready for the big leagues.

April 2016 – Pierre-Luc Dubois is an exceptionally well rounded prospect that should have scouts drooling heading into the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Big and strong, Dubois is also an excellent skater, agile and possessing plus two step quickness, that is equally capable of setting up dangerous scoring plays or burying the puck himself. He combines the ability to protect the puck with a quick and accurate release to create havoc in the offensive zone every time he touches the puck. Possessing elite on-ice vision and hockey sense, Dubois is a complete 200 ft player that that can out muscle even the strongest of opponents for loose pucks. Dubois is extremely versatile as he can play anywhere at forward, including excelling at winning draws when pushed into the middle, and can bully his way through traffic or along the boards. He currently has the penchant for taking too many minor penalties but much of that is due to his ability to dominate the opposition physically at the junior ranks. – Aynsley Scott

Fantasy Outlook: A

Dubois is the complete package and could become a first line C or LW. He may not be long from the NHL due to his advanced size and strength.

Footage:

Pierre-Luc Dubois 2015-16 Highlights:

{youtube}2C2NfA8LtJA{/youtube}

Pierre-Luc Dubois 2015 Early Season Highlights:

{youtube}hP2TGCc7if0{/youtube}

Buy the latest Fantasy Prospects Report here.

{source}{/source}