The Capitals are getting their first taste of Pierre-Luc Dubois as informal skates continue ahead of training camp.
The Washington Capitals took a big gamble to open a busy offseason, acquiring Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has a large cap hit for the next seven years, from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Darcy Kuemper.
Dubois is coming off a bit of a rough year with L.A. where he posted just 40 points in 82 games and struggled to find consistency, and this also marks his fourth team in four years. That being said, there are questions surrounding how he'll fit in with Washington.
And, while there is uncertainty, it's valid for there to be optimism as well, and here's why.
Dubois has already arrived in the District and is taking part in the Capitals' informal skates, along with John Carlson, Matt Roy, Logan Thompson and several more.
Watching Dubois in action, albeit these are just hour-long on-ice workouts, there are two immediate things that stand out: his size and his skating. For being 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Dubois possesses great speed and really takes advantage of his edges, and he can turn on a dime and use his skating to play a key role at both ends of the ice.
It also helps him when it comes to puck protection and control. He demands the puck and skates well with it, and he also has the awareness and ability to get to the right areas and make the right plays at the right time.
The 27-year-old clearly has the talent and poise that it takes to be a force at the highest level; now, it's just about showing that on a consistent basis. That's all the mental side of the game, and from the looks of Dubois, he's ready to turn things around in D.C.
Dubois said earlier this offseason that he feels an "extra motivation" to come into Washington and prove that he can be a top contributor, especially after watching how longtime friend and fellow third-overall pick Dylan Strome rediscovered his game with the Capitals.
Not only that, but working with head coach Spencer Carbery, who has a great track record of helping young players unlock their potential, should help as well.
Dubois has two 60-point campaigns under his belt in his still-young career, and he's shown he can not only make plays but score goals, too. That should be a big boost for the offense in the District, which struggled greatly last season.
When it comes to what else he can bring to the mix, Dubois has the potential to become a key leader and member of the future core with the Alex Ovechkin era winding down. That's a lot of responsibility to take on, and the potential to take on a bigger role is one that could help Dubois, who is on board for the next seven years, take his game and presence to a whole other level.
Watching Dubois, it's also easy to see that he's easy-going and fits in well with his teammates. He's been all smiles and in high spirits during these skates, while also getting closer to his new teammates.
Critics have pointed to speculation surrounding Dubois and potential locker room issues, but all of this should be shut down; his teammates are happy to have him on board, including former King Matt Roy, who said that he wouldn't have signed long-term with the Capitals had the rumors about Dubois in the dressing room been true.
At the end of the day, it's true that Dubois comes with a reputation, and that it's a risk. However, there's no reason for Washington to not be optimistic. He's getting a fresh start and has shown he has the talent to be a game-changing player; now, it's all about applying it.
