Report: Blue Jackets ramp up efforts to trade Dubois

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen "aggressively pursued" a trade involving his disgruntled forward, Pierre-Luc Dubois, on Friday, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

The Winnipeg Jets are among numerous suitors, and their package would include Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic, Friedman adds. The Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens have also expressed interest.

Both Laine and Roslovic have requested to be dealt, as has Dubois.

Dubois will reportedly be a healthy scratch Saturday when the Blue Jackets face the Tampa Bay Lightning. Columbus head coach John Tortorella benched the 22-year-old for all but about four minutes of an overtime loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday.

The skilled center took responsibility for the benching Friday after declining to speak Thursday night.

Dubois reportedly expressed a desire to be traded before this season started, signing a two-year contract rather than a longer one earlier this month in order to facilitate his eventual departure.

He's in his fourth NHL season and he's spent his whole career with the Blue Jackets, who drafted him third overall in 2016.

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