The Canadiens have been a team that has been rumored to be in trade talks for Colorado center Matt Duchene for the past several months but TSN’s Darren Dreger reported during a segment on TSN 1040 (audio link) that indications are that they are not in the mix for Duchene’s services.
The suggestion that Montreal isn’t in on Duchene comes as somewhat of a surprise on the surface. They’re a team that is lacking in impact centers and they’re also struggling to score early on and those are both areas that the 26-year-old could certainly help. They’re also one of the few teams that have the cap space to take on his full contract without having to move any money the other way.
However, Colorado’s asking price is well-known and the Canadiens don’t really have the key young defenseman that the Avalanche are coveting. Victor Mete has impressed so far but it’s still too early to peg his long-term future while their other top blueline prospect, 2015 first rounder Noah Juulsen, has yet to play professionally and is currently on injured reserve after breaking his foot in the preseason. As a result, unless Colorado GM Joe Sakic changes his asking price to not include that element, Montreal may not be the best fit trade-wise to land Duchene.
I just don’t think that any team is seriously looking to trade for him because of the rediculous asking price. We have heard that even some of his teammates keep their distance from him because of the situation. That is not fair for Duchene, the fans & Joe Sakic needs to go for his inability to perform like a good GM should. He is in way over his head & should give up the position of General Manager but his professional athlete ego prevents him from doing the right thing. Hockey players especially, do not quit whether right or wrong.
*** ridiculous***