In the short term, Rick Bowness’s mission is to make the Winnipeg Jets a multi-season winning team. This achievement requires a balanced mix of veterans and youngsters.

Pierre-Luc Dubois plays a crucial role on the chessboard, and his head coach let him know that from the very first discussion.

Watch head coach Rick Bowness in the video above.

“When I got the job, I said to him, ‘I’ll do anything to keep you in Winnipeg. I told him that when I called him in July or August,” the coach said at his pre-game press conference with the Montreal Canadiens.

However, Bowness is aware that he will not have the final say or the organization in the decision that the Quebecer will make. The 20-goal scorer is on course to become a restricted free agent for the last time in his career.

Dubois’ name has been associated with the Canadians since the 2016 draft, when the Columbus Blue Jackets made him the third overall pick. The CH director at the time, Marc Bergevin, saw it in his soup.

He himself would be interested in playing in Montreal according to many. his agent Pat Brisson gave TVA Sports that trust last summerwhen his client was waiting for a new contract.

“Time will tell,” warns Bowness. It’s beyond my control. He will do what he wants and what is best for his career. I told him that I would like to see him in the Jets for a long time and that “I will do everything I can to keep you in the Winnipeg Jets uniform”.

What Bowness can control is teaching. He worked with Dubois to improve certain facets of his game.

“He improved from the first day of the training camp. He’s better on both sides of the rink. It’s his strength. Being better defensively helped him offensively. He’s doing a good job on our territory and it’s difficult to play against him.”