On the Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion was on TSN 1200 yesterday and confirmed that he’s spoken with Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic. Dorion indicated a deal was unlikely due to the high asking price, and didn’t say whether they talked Matt Duchene and/or Gabriel Landeskog.
It is believed that the Avalanche are asking for Cody Ceci, a 2017 first round pick, one of Thomas Chabot or Colin White, plus more for Duchene or Landeskog.
“I don’t think the reports are always accurate and sometimes it’s better to hear from the horse’s mouth. Joe and I talked and, at this point in time, I can’t see us going in that direction. It wouldn’t make sense. We want to do something to try to improve the team and making deals is very difficult to do.”
Dorion added to give up three or four or five future assets would be really hard to do in any deal.
Dorion is still looking to bring in another forward or defenseman.
“If we can improve our depth or improve a position it might be something that we look at but there’s nothing really specific at this point in time,” Dorion said.
Dorion has said they have held contract talks with pending free agents Mike Condon and Tom Pyatt. They don’t have any plans to move either by the trade deadline even if they are not signed.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: After a 20 goal season as a rookie last year, Anthony Duclair and the Coyotes had high hopes. Duclair struggled this year and was assigned to the AHL.
Duclair’s name has appeared in the rumor mill. The pending RFA is aware of them and has spoken with management.
“It’s obviously there,” he said. “It’s tough to get away from that but at the same time, I’m not too worried about it. I talked with Tip and (General Manager) John (Chayka) about that, about trade speculation and stuff like that. We’ll talk contract this summer. I’m not too worried about that. It’s just a matter of keep working hard and get back up here as soon as possible.”