Matt Duchene showed up for the start of training camp this morning with the Colorado Avalanche, clearly frustrated with how this offseason has played out. Duchene and agent J.P. Barry have made it clear they would like a resolution to the ongoing trade speculation, and instead of face countless more questions from the media, had a simple statement:
I’m here to honor my contract. I’m here out of respect for the fans, and I’m here for my teammates. I had a great summer training and I’m in great physical condition.
Duchene will take part in training camp now that he’s there, but questions continue to swirl around his future with the club. With only two years left on his current contract, the asking price of GM Joe Sakic has yet to be matched. Sakic has reportedly been looking for a first-round pick, a young NHL caliber defenseman and a top prospect, and while that may have changed slightly there still doesn’t seem to be any deal in sight. Many teams around the league could benefit from having Duchene on their roster, but giving up all that for two years of a player coming off a down season is almost impossible for anyone to do.
The question is asked nearly every week in our live chats (of which we’ll hold the latest in about an hour’s time), where will Duchene eventually end up? Does he end up going to one of the oft-rumored destinations like Columbus or Carolina? Will another team swoop in and snatch him up in a last second move? Or will he have to start the season with Colorado and hope his play draws more interested parties in? Vote below on where you think Duchene will play his first game this season, and make sure to leave your reasoning behind in the comments.
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Gotta give him credit by hanging on there and trying to do the right thing despite Sakic dragging this thing out so long.