Matt Duchene seemingly found a new team.
According to a report from the NHL Network, Duchene will join the Predators when he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Nashville will offer a contract with an $8 million average annual value to the center.
It sounds like Matt Duchene will join the #preds. Expect his contract to come in with an $8M AAV.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2019
Duchene reportedly met with both the Predators as well as the Canadiens earlier last week.
He was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the deadline last February and previously told reporters he would "definitely" consider returning to Columbus. However, the Blue Jackets weren't able to sort out a deal before other teams began speaking with him Sunday.
According to a report from The Athletic, Nashville emerged as the front-runner right away.
Told that there won’t be any deal between Columbus and Matt Duchene before the UFA speaking period opens Sunday. Fair to say Nashville is the front runner.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) June 22, 2019
Duchene had 58 points in 50 games with the Senators before being dealt to the Blue Jackets, where he recorded four goals and 12 points in 23 games to close out the regular season.
He registered 10 points in 10 playoff games with Columbus and helped the team to its first postseason series win in franchise history, a four-game sweep of the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning.
Duchene is coming off a five-year contract that had a $6 million AAV.