For a player who's about as good as guaranteed to be traded, Matt Duchene and the hot stove rumors about his Avalanche exit remained suspiciously quiet through the first month of the NHL season. That is no longer the case.
Behind the scenes, the Senators and Predators had been negotiating with Avs general manager Joe Sakic about a rare three-team trade which would have sent Duchene to Ottawa, TSN's Darren Dreger first reported Friday. The deal, as it stands, is dead, the report said, but this smoke is a sign that this drawn-out Duchene saga may finally be nearing an end.
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The Senators and Predators have been linked to Duchene for months as individual suitors. Both would benefit from adding such a dynamic playmaker at center, and are among the few teams with assets great enough to meet Sakic's high asking price, which has been the hang-up since Duchene was made available more than a year ago.
It's not often three NHL teams work in concert on a single trade, especially involving players of this magnitude.
The deal that was on the table, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, had Ottawa coming away with the top prize in Duchene and Nashville receiving center Kyle Turris from the Senators. Colorado's theoretical return was less clear. Friedman initially speculated Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm’s "name came up," but later said that wasn't the case.
Last note: Turris (NASH), Duchene (OTT), haul of picks and maybe prospect or two (COL). No Ekholm.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 4, 2017
In September, the Ottawa Sun reported Senators general manager Pierre Dorion had been “aggressive” in his pursuit of Duchene.
Talks involving the Predators "heated up in last couple of weeks," Dreger said. But given the complicated nature, it's not a surprise they broke down. Ottawa and Nashville are off to sluggish starts to the season, held back by middling offenses. Duchene, meanwhile, is playing some of his better hockey since the trade rumors began, with eight points in 12 games.
Colorado is 7-5-0, but the record is a bit misleading since it rates 30th in score-adjusted Corsi and is due for regression. (The Senators rank 31st.) Washing their hands of Duchene, while his value is high, is and has been in the Avs' best interest. The sooner it happens, the better for all teams involved.
Maybe this is a sign Sakic's finally coming around to that thinking.
UPDATE
Saturday, on Hockey Night In Canada, Friedman reported that a deal between the Avalanche and Senators could still be in the works, though it's likely any trade would no longer involve the Predators.
On #HNIC, @FriedgeHNIC says “Colorado is motivated to trade Matt Duchene, and Ottawa is very motivated to acquire Matt Duchene.” #Sens #Avs
— Sporting News Canada (@sportingnewsca) November 5, 2017
More from @reporterchris: “Matt Duchene will be happy to hear that. He would like to be an Ottawa Senator.” #Sens #Avalanche pic.twitter.com/qHrZhoqu4w
— Sporting News Canada (@sportingnewsca) November 5, 2017
