On the Avalanche …
- Mike Chambers: Matt Duchene is NOT on the trade block and never was. The Avalanche are not actively trying to trade Duchene. “Much respect 4 my Canadian peers, but unless I’m being played, no substance here”
- Darren Dreger of TSN: As reported on Thursday’s Insider Trading, the Senators and Avalanche have spoken about Matt Duchene. Some think as that as long as the Avs are willing to continue talking about Duchene, the Senators and other teams will continue to investigate. It seems unlikely that Joe Sakic would trade Duchene though. He might be using his name to stir up trade talks that involve other players.
- Craig Custance of ESPN: (mailbag) Against trading Matt Duchene, but if they are going to trade him they should be for a defenseman that is of similar age and caliber. Those type of guys may not be available. Most of the defenseman available are bottom pairing guys that are making big money. They can’t make a trade for a package of parts and futures. Custance uses Oliver Ekman-Larsson as an example of the type of player that might make sense of trading Duchene.
On the Senators …
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Sources say the Senators have talked to Avalanche about different trade scenarios, but GM Bryan Murray has basically only been kicking tires on Matt Duchene. Many don’t think Duchene will be traded.
“I don’t think he’s going anywhere,” a league executive told the Sun Friday afternoon. “I can’t see it happening.”
Murray talked to several GMs at this weeks meeting, but it’s believed that they don’t have anything imminent.
Two league executives said yesterday that Sakic would want a top defenseman in a package for Duchene that might also include a forward and a high draft pick – a first or second round pick.
That would be a lot for the Senators.
The Senators would like to trade Patrick Wiercioch or possibly Jared Cowen, and neither of those two would be classified as a ‘top defenseman.”
Murray has been aggressively looking for a forward and a defenseman.
The defenseman trade market is thin. The Blackhawks would like to move Trevor Daley. The Hurricanes are shopping Ron Hainsey. The Blues wouldn’t mind moving Carl Gunnarsson. These team might take a Matt Puempel, Shane Prince or a high pick.
Murray isn’t thrilled with the idea of trading prospects.