On the Colorado Avalanche …
Terry Frei of the Denver Post: It’s crossed the mind of Avs forward Matt Duchene that he’s played his final game in the Avs Jersey.
“Yeah, absolutely,” the Avalanche forward said in the Scottrade visiting locker room Sunday. “I’m half-expecting it to be. Yeah, it’s tough, it’s emotional for sure, knowing it potentially could be the case. … I definitely have a fire lit under me, big-time after this year. I was as frustrated as I’ve ever been in my life. With everything.”
When asked if a trade would be good for him.
“We’ll see,” he said. “I don’t know. We don’t know the result of that yet.”
On the Buffalo Sabres …
Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: The Sabres need to add some puck moving defensmen this offseason. They also need to “shore up” their bottom six and to bring some more veteran presence who has playoff experience.
Coach Dan Bylsma has three years left on his deal and if their play next season is the same as this season, he won’t be around for long. Same could be said for GM Tim Murray.
“You add a few pieces and you have to continue on that development plan,” Bylsma said. “I don’t think anybody in here this year thought we would be a Stanley Cup contender. That’s what we’re trying to develop into and that’s a process that’s going to keep going on here into next year and the year after.”
Amy Moritz of the Buffalo News: Backup goalie Anders Nilsson is a pending unrestricted free agent, and he wouldn’t mind remaining in Buffalo
“I like it here. I really do,” Nilsson said. “Since Day One it felt like home and I really like the organization. I like the city of Buffalo. I would be more than happy to stay here.”