On the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks …
Sportsnet’s Headlines: Elliotte Friedman gets the sense that frustration with Matt Duchene is growing a bit. Don’t think the Avs gave Duchene a deadline – a date when he’d be traded by – but feel that all sides thought this would have been dealt with by now.
Nick Kypreos notes that Duchene may have to remain patient with the start that Colorado is off too. The asking price continues to be three assets – NHL player, prospect and a draft pick. GM Joe Sakic wants a blue-chip prospect.
“The feeling now is perhaps maybe Vancouver getting in the mix, and a lot of talk about Juolevi, who also went the same year of the draft as Sergachev, but does not carry the same type of feeling that this guy is ready to play just yet.
So, until Joe Sakic hits that home run, Matt Duchene may have to wait a little longer.”
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: From understanding the Canucks are looking to add a center.
They are not ready to move a 19-year old defenseman – Olli Juolevi – their 2016 5th overall draft pick for a 27-year old center.
Things can obviously change, but hard to see them making any trade with the Avs for Duchene that doesn’t include Juolevi.
adds that NHL insiders noted earlier this season that there wasn’t a lot to the Canucks – Duchene talk.
Centers to watch include Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Oilers) and Sam Reinhart (Sabres).
The Canucks and Sabres talked a lot about Evander Kane. Ben Hutton‘s name came up in those talks. Would Hutton and Nikolay Goldobin interest the Sabres?
Some think the Canucks could move Sven Baertschi for a center, though doesn’t think he has a lot of trade value.