On Matt Duchene …
Pierre LeBrun: “If you’re the Avs, why do you want this kind of distraction to linger? Make your best trade and move on”
Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post: It’s obvious that Matt Duchene must be traded, he should have been traded back at last years trade deadline. The league is aware of what has been going on and Duchene’s trade value has decreased because of it.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Darren Dreger was on TSN 690 yesterday. Talk started with the Montreal Canadiens and their $8 million in salary cap space, which then turned to Matt Duchene.
“Hey guys, we’re still wondering what the hell is going on with Matt Duchene in Colorado,” noted the Insider. “I can’t excuse the possibility of Montreal having still a fair bit of interest in Duchene. Nashville told me yesterday that they haven’t talked to Colorado in quite some time – a long time, is what I was told from the Preds’ management. You look at the Columbus Blue Jackets as a potential fit for Duchene as well, but why wouldn’t Montreal still have some interest. The rumor and the connection has been there over the past several months. Well if they do still have some interest, then obviously Bergevin and the Habs have the flexibility to make that work.”
Dreger on the TSN 1260 on what Avs GM Joe Sakic was asking for on the draft floor.
“What Sakic, I’m told, wanted on the draft floor was a left-shot young defenseman, plus, plus, and maybe plus. And he just couldn’t get that.”
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on 590 talking with Damien Cox and Bob McCown about the Matt Duchene situation.
“Honestly Damien, I just think that the marriage is over. It’s now you’re still living in the same house. It’s just a matter of time. I don’t see this continuing too long. I just think that if he comes out and plays great it’s going to make it easier to deal him.”
Friedman on who could have been looking at Duchene.
“But I know teams like the Islanders were looking at him. I think if you put him on a same team as a guy with Tavares… I think Pittsburgh was looking at him, I just don’t think they had enough to make the deal. You put him around those guys, I think he’ll do a lot for you.”
Dreger on TSN 1040 said the asking price for Duchene is still pretty high. The Columbus Blue Jackets could be a potential landing spot, with Ryan Murray’s potentially involved.
