On the Colorado Avalanche and Matt Duchene …
Eric Duhatschek of The Athletic: Expectations for the Avalanche aren’t high this season, so GM Joe Sakic won’t be on the hot seat right away. He does have time to make a Matt Duchene trade, but he needs to get it right.
The Avs are being cautious on making a Duchene trade as the last time they traded a core player, Ryan O’Reilly, it didn’t turn out the greatest for them.
The New York Islanders, Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes, Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks have all been linked to Duchene.
Duchene has two years left on his contract at a $6 million cap hit. Teams may have some concern if Duchene would see them as a fit beyond the two years if they are going to give up quality assets in a trade.
The Hurricanes may have the best assets that fit the Avs wants – young defensemen like Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Noah Hanifin, Justin Faulk, Jake Bean and Haydn Fleury. The Hurricanes could use a top center.
On the Ottawa Senators and Kyle Turris …
Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: wonders which side would benefit from the leak that the Senators and Kyle Turris may be a contract extension impasse on a long-term deal and that a trade may be more likely.
The Senators are not likely in a rush to trade Turris as they are hoping he leads them to another playoff berth.
Turris wasn’t made available to the media yesterday after report came out on Thursday.
wonders if maybe a rival GM floated this.
It seems unlikely that the Senators would be interested in a seven- or eight-year deal for Turris. Mark Stone will be a RFA next offseason and Erik Karlsson will be looking for a new contract after next season.
It is possible that the Senators look to trade Turris if contract talks go south, but not hearing they are at that point just yet.