Inside the 2017-18 Avalanche: Moving forward, with or without Matt Duchene

Alec Gearty

Inside the 2017-18 Avalanche: Moving forward, with or without Matt Duchene image

Matt Duchene has long been considered a valuable piece in the long-term success of the Avalanche, but with Colorado fresh off a league-worst 48 points last season, Duchene’s time in Denver is coming to a close.

Duchene, who is entering his ninth season with the Avs, first became the subject of trade talks at last year’s trade deadline and they haven't ceased since.

MORE: Matt Duchene reports to Avs camp 'for my teammates'

The 26-year-old's 41 points were productive enough to rank second on the Avs scoring, but outside of an injury-riddled year in 2011-12, the point production was a career-low for Duchene. It leaves general manager Joe Sakic conflicted on whether to make a deal now or hold out for a maximum return, a gamble that Duchene's production will return to old and his presence won't taint a locker room eager to move forward.

Nikita Zadorov has joined Duchene in holding out. The young defenseman, a restricted free agent, awaits a new contract from the Avalanche.

Zadorov, who was acquired from the Sabres while in his second year of his entry-level deal, is one of the few young prospects who figure into the future of a barren Avs blue line.

Colorado Avalanche schedule 2017-18 

The Avalanche open the 2017-18 season with their first three games on the road, including an Oct. 7 meeting against Will Butcher, the college free agent who spurned them in the offseason for the Devils. The Avs return to Pepsi Center on Oct. 11 against the Bruins. On Nov. 11-12, the Avs will take part in the NHL’s Global Series against the Ottawa Senators. Both teams will play at Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden, to reignite the overseas event that last took place in 2011, then called the NHL Premiere. The Avs’ matchup against the Wild on March 13 will be the only time Colorado will be on NBC's national broadcast this season.

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Avalanche's key offseason additions

Alexander Kerfoot (free agent), Nail Yakupov (free agent), Colin Wilson (trade), Jonathan Bernier (free agent), David Warsofsky (free agent)

Avalanche's key offseason departures 

Will Butcher (free agent), Calvin Pickard (expansion draft), Francois Beauchemin (buyout), Patrick Wiercioch (free agent), Mikhail Grigorenko (free agent), Eric Gelinas (free agent)

Avalanche's projected opening day lineup 

Forwards

Gabriel Landeskog-Nathan MacKinnon-Mikko Rantanen
Blake Comeau-Matt Duchene-Nail Yakupov
Colin Wilson-Tyson Jost-JT Compher
Matt Nieto-Carl Soderberg-Joe Colborne

Defense

Nikita Zadorov-Erik Johnson
Mark Barberio-Tyson Barrie
Anton Lindholm-Chris Bigras

Goalies

Semyon Varlamov
Jonathan Bernier

Avalanche’s best-case scenario is …

Nathan MacKinnon returns to his 60-point self reminiscent of his rookie campaign. Semyon Varlamov is fully healthy and combines with Jonathan Bernier to stablize the Avs goaltending tandem. MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen become a legitimate top line, accelerating Rantanen’s growth as a top-six forward. Second-year head coach Jared Bednar continues to implement his system to lift the Avs out of the NHL’s basement in both scoring and goals allowed. The Avs benefit from a low-risk/high-reward deal with Nail Yakupov.

Alec Gearty