The Colorado Avalanche have officially started training camp for the upcoming 2017-18 season. After some uncertainty, it seems as if Matt Duchene will accompany the team after all, despite spending nearly nine months on the Avalanche’s trade block.
Matt Duchene to attend Avalanche training camp while management looks for trade options
The Avalanche “will continue to work” on a trade while Duchene reports to training camp.
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Duchene will attend Colorado’s training camp but both sides will “continue to work” on a trade in the meantime. The Avalanche do have a training camp holdout in defenseman Nikita Zadorov, who remains a RFA without a contract for the time being.
Duchene was previously a no-show at the team’s optional charity golf tournament earlier this week.
The 26-year-old center has been on the ropes with the Avalanche for months now, despite being one of the only bright spots on a slumping roster. Duchene’s 41 points in 77 games weren’t much to look at last season, but the Avalanche had one of the worst seasons in recent NHL history. In January, Duchene said to reporters that he was “open” to a trade away from the Avalanche.
In nearly nine months, talks on Duchene have yet to progress. Many believe it to be because general manager Joe Sakic’s asking price is so high. Before the trade deadline, the ask on Duchene was reportedly “an established, young NHL player, plus a first-round draft pick and a top prospect.” That is quite the return, even for a talented player like Duchene, and only the Predators and Blue Jackets have seemed to be serious contenders for the center.
Considering Nashville’s recent announcement that top defenseman Ryan Ellis will be out for months, it’s likely safe to count them out now on a trade for Duchene. Last month, Sakic told The Denver Post he was still “listening to offers” and things were “quiet on all fronts” for Duchene.
It’s anyone’s guess if Duchene and the Avalanche will get what they want before the season starts. In the meantime, it must be quite awkward to be playing for an organization that’s been actively trying to trade you for the entire offseason.
See More:
