Quoting: Howie
You know the team can still trade him if he goes the arbitration route right. Mtl would need to os Dubois before that at a contract that Dubois would accept being more than what this agm has lol
Quoting: Lenny7
I think we should make a list of all of the times that Dubois has "reportedly thought" he was going to end up in Montreal, yet didn't. Lots of reports, but they all seem to come from French media, or alternatively, during extremely quiet moments in Montreal (ie. when there was literally nothing going on in Montreal as they played out there season, then Friedman jumps out with the clickbait-y-est "95% sure PLD ends up in Montreal (at some point)".
I'm aware and don't think this particular proposal happens, just pointing out that arbitration doesn't prevent an offer sheet. The no trade scenario is part of an offer sheet, not arbitration.
The updated MOU also means you can't agree to terms once the hearing begins.
Deadlines and restrictions don't work in Winnipeg's favor, so it's better for them to avoid those situations. Arbitration would be a desperation tactic.
As for this offer, is just hypothesizing a tactic, however unlikely.
Dubois isn't likely to agree to an offer sheet which will easily be matched. If he doesn't want to be in Winnipeg he'll leave the possibility of a trade open.
Montreal isn't likely to offer sheet involving their 1st or for a pending UFA. If you're going to get into that mess you want term and control. You can't get that with Dubois as the control is expiring and term would require multiple 1sts due to offer sheet compensation requirements for long term contracts.
Dubois being rumored from Columbus to Montreal, Winnipeg to Montreal, and at the draft in Montreal, isn't ALL smoke. Doesn't mean it's 95% going to happen, but there is at least some interest. We aren't going to get a definitive statement on the matter due to player tampering issues, but nobody can deny there's at least some substance to the speculation. It can't simply be dismissed as French media propaganda.