It looks like the Matt Duchene sweepstakes have another contender. On Tuesday, The Ottawa Sun reported that the Senators were being “aggressive” in pursuit of the Colorado Avalanche forward.
According to Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa has “done more than kick tires” for Duchene. While the Senators have been in the running for Duchene, they were never one of the top frontrunners for the centerman all offseason. Those honors belonged to the Blue Jackets and Predators, who were the teams most often linked to Duchene these last few months.
The aggressiveness to land the forward should not come as a surprise. The Senators recently announced the loss of 20-year-old forward Colin White to a broken wrist for six-to-eight weeks. Feel-good story from last year’s playoffs, Clarke MacArthur, failed his preseason physical with the team and middle-line forward Derick Brassard isn’t expected to be ready to start the season.
All in all, the Senators are a bit thin at offensive depth after coming off a season where they were one win away from playing for the Stanley Cup.
The ask for Duchene has essentially always been “an established, young NHL player, plus a first-round draft pick and a top prospect.” The Senators have apparently been in talks before about moving Thomas Chabot, White, a first-round pick, and maybe more to the Avalanche for Duchene.
Also linked to Duchene rumors has been Cody Ceci, a 23-year-old defenseman. However, the Senators have seemingly balked at the idea of sending one of their cornerstone pieces on the blue line back in a trade.
Considering star defender Erik Karlsson may not even be ready for the start of the season, general manager Pierre Dorion is likely weighing his options about what to offer.
Duchene has reported to training camp for the Avalanche, but has since been looking downright miserable in the process. It’s hard to guess when Duchene will be dealt, but Colorado is likely hoping it will be sooner rather than later given how much of a distraction this is turning out to be.