Top prospect and 3rd overall draft pick’s brutal season in 2016-17 is cause for concern

In his latest article for Buckeye State Hockey, a blog managed by The Sports Daily, Columbus Blue Jackets writer Jeremy Crowe analyzes the results of Jackets' top draft pick Pierre-Luc Dubois 2016-17 season and sounds the alarm for Blue Jackets fans everywhere: this guy may be a bust. 

Whether that label is accurate or not, after all Dubois was selected 3rd overall by the team just one summer ago, it certainly seems as though the 19 year old’s game is trending in the wrong direction. 

After putting up a remarkable 99 points in 62 games during his draft season with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL, Dubois managed just 55 points in 48 games split between the Eagles and the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in 2016-17. The difference, as Crowe points out, can be measured as a fall from 1.6 points-per-game in his draft year to just 1.15 points-per-game in his follow-up campaign. Not pretty. And definitely NOT the direction the Blue Jackets would like to see his production headed toward.

This next season will be a big one for Dubois in determining his ultimate future. While Crowe takes a deep dive into advanced statistics and analytics in attempt to predict Dubois’ future, ultimately it will come down to the opportunity presented to the player and whether or not he can take advantage of that opportunity. One thing is clear, the odds are not currently in Dubois’ favor, which is surprising given his elite draft year and status as a 3rd overall selection. 

Word of advice Jackets fans, try not to catch too many Jesse Puljujarvi highlights this upcoming season. Ditto for Matthew Tkachuk on the Calgary Flames.