Almost four months into his tenure in Ottawa, Matt Duchene is finding his comfort level on and off the ice. But that wasn’t always the case for the 27-year old.
Duchene’s debut with the Senators went off rather well. The team won back-to-back games versus his former Avalanche club in Stockholm. The centre made his presence felt, firing 10 shots on goal in the two games, but couldn’t buy a goal.
Another six games went by, all losses, prior to Duchene finding the net. To his credit, Duchene peppered 27 shots at opposition goalies in his first eight outings. However, there was a noticeable chemistry imbalance with his wingers, Zack Smith and Bobby Ryan.
Senators’ fans openly questioned the blockbuster deal. Even more so after losses mounted, while witnessing departed favourite Kyle Turris become a key contributor for the Predators' offence after the three-way trade. Meanwhile Duchene mustered only six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in his first 24 games with the club.
Duchene didn’t mince words when asked repeatedly about Turris comparisons. At one point the 2014 Canadian Olympic gold medallist said, “We didn’t get traded for each other. I don’t feel there needs to be a competition.”
Reflecting on his slow start, Duchene understood the frustration of Senators’ fans, telling Sporting News, “Everyone wants to look back at points all the time. I guess it’s the nature of the beast. It’s unfortunate for us as players, because that’s what you are expected to do all the time.”
Duchene added: “But I felt on the ice when I came in, my game was at a high level, though the production wasn’t there. That’s started to come, obviously. It took a lot of hard work, determination to do that. And that’s what it takes to get out of a slump sometimes.”
Heading into Wednesday’s tilt with the Blackhawks, Duchene has reeled off eight goals and 13 assists in his past 20 games.
“This is what I feel more capable of, and what I’m used to. Points are always a result of doing the right things. There are games where you don’t produce, but it’s how you maintain that level of play,” explained the 2009 third-overall selection.
Surprisingly Duchene praises Senators goalie coach Pierre Groulx for his recent success.
“Our goalie coach and I sit down before every game," he said. "We talk about three-four different scenarios. He’s helped me a few times this year. And pucks ended up in the net. He’s a smart guy. I’m grateful for his time in helping me out. Doesn’t matter who you are as a player from goalie out, defence, forward, everybody has weaknesses in parts of their game you can exploit. He tries to help me try to find success. Especially, in a league where goaltenders are so good.”
Off the ice, Duchene moved into a hotel at first with his dog, Paisley, a seven-year old Brittany Spaniel. His wife, Ashley soon joined him. The pair eventually located a quaint semi-detached home, but it’s still a work in progress.
“Obviously, there’s the little things. I remember my wife and I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to set up our new house. We hadn’t bought anything. We’re just renting a kind of smaller semi-detached. We made two trips in and out, four car loads of stuff, garbage cans, pillows, stuff like that. It’s funny how you don’t think of that stuff,” mused the nine-year NHL veteran.
“Ashley and I have lived in a lot of places together. We’ve lived in Europe together. We’ve travelled lots. We live in my hometown (Haliburton, Ont.) in the off-season. We also have a place in Denver. We had a lot of homes together. As long as we know we’re together, it’s easy,” Duchene told the Sporting News.
“Being an Ontario boy, it’s been easy for me to adapt. She’s really enjoyed Ottawa too. Especially, being a Colorado girl. This is her first Canadian winter. People think Denver is cold. It is not. The weather is beautiful down there all the time for a bare minimum four seasons. It’s the best you can get. Ashley has survived the winter so far. She’s really enjoyed it up here,” beamed Duchene.
Matt and Ashley adore animals and were ardent supporters of the Longshot Humane Society in Denver. Paisley became a local celebrity of sorts. The spaniel has its own Instagram account with over 4800 followers.
In a short time in their new city, the couple are already lending their efforts to the Ottawa Humane Society.
“Our dog is like our kid at this point in life. He acts like it too. Anyone that’s met him, takes a real shine to him. People at the Humane Society want to have him as the poster dog for the year. We jumped at the opportunity to go and help out,” beamed Duchene. “They have a beautiful facility. Like I said on my Instagram I just encourage everyone to go down. You can donate so many things, old blankets, towels, things like that. All the animals use it. You can also donate your time and money if you are so fit. It’s a great organization. Ash and I are animal lovers. It’s nice to help them out. They need our help.”
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Now that Matt and Ashley are settling in, thoughts turn to the possibility of losing teammates ahead of the Feb. 26 trade deadline.
“I think we have a great group in here," Duchene said. "I mean, it’s not up to me to speculate. I don’t make decisions.”
One player in particular receiving a lot of trade buzz is Duchene’s line mate, Mike Hoffman. The left winger has garnered four goals, including two game-winners, plus five assists in the Senators’ past 10 games.
“Obviously, I feel we’re playing pretty well together. We’ll see what may happen. We get along really well off the ice as well.”