Pierre-Luc Dubois arrived in Washington with great ambitions, ready to relaunch himself and silence those who called him a finished and overpaid player.
However, barely the season started, hopes faded. Quickly relegated from the first trio in favor of Dylan Strome, Dubois is already showing a disappointing performance: two assists in four games and a differential of -1.
Ironically, his teammates, Tom Wilson and Connor McMichael, shine. Wilson has five goals in six games (6 points), while McMichael has four points in four games. (1 goal and 3 assists).
Dubois’ slowness, already worrying last year, seems even more obvious. Signs of nonchalance fool no one.
The Capitals, engaged with Dubois for seven additional seasons at an annual cost of $8.5 million, find themselves in a delicate situation.
General manager Brian MacLellan, who was hoping for a miracle, must face the reality of a player who has not yet found his best level.
Dubois, looking for stability, changes teams for the fourth time in five years, after stays in Columbus, Winnipeg and Los Angeles.
His short-lived time with the Kings left scars that he admits are difficult to overcome:
“I thought I would settle in LA for eight years. Being traded after just one year is tough. »
However, he said not so long ago how happy he was to arrive in Washington, with a team that was going to treat him better than in Los Angeles.
Dubois acknowledged that his experience in Los Angeles was marked by unclear expectations, making his adjustment complicated.
“I always need clear guidelines to perform at 100%. When there are gray areas, I question myself too much. It’s a challenge that I’ve had since childhood. »
Lack of communication with former Kings coach Todd McLellan exacerbated his struggles.
“We didn’t talk often. Maybe I was too demanding in wanting clear answers. But it’s up to me to succeed, no matter the circumstances. »
The problem? It is also harmful to Washington. And still seems so lost, like a Bambi who lost his mother in the middle of the forest.
A new start in Washington? Or simply the continuation of the nightmare that won’t end?
In Washington, Dubois finally hoped to find an environment conducive to his development, under the direction of Spencer Carbery, renowned for his ability to revive players in difficulty.
Their first, memorable conversation focused on personal topics before even discussing hockey:
“He was interested in me, in my family, in my reactions. It was touching, because in the world of hockey, we are often treated like a number. »
For Carbery, helping Dubois realize his full potential is an exciting challenge. After restoring confidence in Anthony Mantha, who scored 20 goals in 2023-2024, Carbery hopes for a similar impact with Dubois:
“I love this kind of challenge. My job is to create an environment where players can excel and reach their full potential. »
For the moment, it’s a failure across the board.
Dubois quickly settled into life in Washington, settling into McLean and participating in informal workouts with his new teammates.
He hoped that this new step in the East would finally offer him the stability he had been looking for for so long.
Well, stability will remain, since the Caps were the only team “stupid” enough to get the worst contract in the entire NHL.
However, time is running out. The Capitals are counting on him to produce quickly and justify his salary. If results are slow to come, criticism is sure to intensify.
Did you think you had a bad date with Brendan Gallagher? Think again. At least Gallagher has heart.
The heart of Pierre-Luc Dubois is not yet bathed in holy water. He must not only reinvent himself, but also prove that the Capitals did not make a mistake in betting on him.
At 25, he knows he no longer has room for error. He thought he was leaving the nightmare for paradise. But now his ordeal continues in the American capital.
He must wake up, otherwise he will enter the category of Alexandre Daigle: that of the worst disappointments in the history of Quebec.
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