With the opening day of NHL Training Camp today, questions circled around Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene and whether or not he would report. He has long been the subject of trade rumors with teams including the Columbus Blue Jackets. Today, we got confirmation that Duchene would arrive in camp and practice with the team.
Duchene update: Plan is to attend camp, but sources say both sides remain committed to trade as best case and will continue to work on it.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 14, 2017
As teams continue to try to pry the center out of Colorado, look for the Blue Jackets to remain interested. Joe Sakic has sat out the entire summer looking for returns that just are not there. With NHL front offices as well as the public knowing that Duchene wants out, his hand may be forced sooner rather than later.
I remain convinced that the Blue Jackets will eventually figure out a way to get this deal done. Whether that includes Ryan Murray, Boone Jenner, Gabriel Carlsson, or some other piece remains to be seen. But I firmly believe Duchene will be a Blue Jacket by the time opening night rolls around.
If we’ve learned anything about Jarmo with his negotiations over the last few years, it’s that he will not overpay (see the Ryan Johansen and Josh Anderson discussions for proof).
Duchene Watch 2017 rolls on.