While Matt Duchene continues to practice with the Colorado Avalanche and take it “one day at a time” several other teams are pursuing the 26-year old forward. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that the Senators are one of those teams after Duchene, writing that GM Pierre Dorion “has been aggressive in his pursuit.” The Senators lost Colin White for several weeks last night, who could have been an option in their top-six to start the season; perhaps that will increase their offer ever more, though Garrioch is quick to point out that nothing is close at present.
It’s not clear if the Duchene saga is moving towards an end, but Mike Chambers of the Denver Post was on radio again today saying how players are getting frustrated with the situation. Duchene has been trying to avoid the media as much as possible since reporting to Avalanche camp, issuing only short statements and even changing in a different room. Chambers told Mike Halford and Jason Brough of TSN 1040 that players have expressed some disdain for that decision:
I think his teammates understand that he’s got issues with management and wants a trade. I think his teammates are okay with that, as it is. But I think his teammates cannot handle the fact that Duchene is undressing in another part of the building, so he won’t undress in the locker room where the media has access. I’ve spoken to a couple players—I’m not going to name names—but they think that’s a little off and that’s drawing too much attention to this saga.
While his teammates might not like exactly how he’s dealing with this, that certainly won’t force the hand of Avalanche GM Joe Sakic anymore than it already is. He’s clearly waiting for a deal that satisfies what he believes Duchene is worth, and won’t make a move before he absolutely has to. Garrioch notes that the Avalanche have shown interest in Cody Ceci before, but that the Senators are wary of moving what they believe is a building-block defenseman.
If Cody Ceci is the reason Matt duchene isn’t a senator something is very wrong
Jeff Gorton spoke last week about center depth. He stated they are still looking at possible trades but was looking ahead to training camp to see what they have internally. If he considers the Rangers as serious contenders, I would think adding Duchene, who is probably only top 6 dman available, would be an option. Experimenting with Miller at center is fine but then you lose depth at wing where he had a career year last season. I think he needs to explore maybe moving Brady Skjei. He’s due a serious raise before next season and Macdonaugh will need contract year after. If both Pionk and DeAngelo prove ready, they can move Smith to left side second pair.