Tortorella: Dubois 'hasn't given a reason' for trade request

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella still isn't sure why Pierre-Luc Dubois wants to be traded, and he offered the budding forward some advice.

"(Dubois) hasn't given a reason why he wants to leave," Tortorella said Wednesday, according to 1st Ohio Battery. "He should get in front of it. That's the way I think you should go about your business and be the best team you can be."

Dubois, 22, signed a two-year, $10-million deal with the Blue Jackets on Dec. 31 as a restricted free agent, avoiding a long-term pact. He reportedly made it known prior to signing that he preferred a change of scenery.

The relationship between Dubois and the club apparently deteriorated during offseason negotiations. The Quebec native said recently that he doesn't want his situation to be a distraction for his teammates.

Tortorella's demanding approach was on full display in the bubble last summer when he and Dubois had a heated exchange on the bench during Game 2 of their qualifying-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 6-foot-3 pivot responded the next game, potting a hat trick in Columbus' victory.

The Blue Jackets selected Dubois third overall at the 2016 draft. He's tallied 65 goals and 158 points through 234 career contests.