The Nashville Predators look to sure up their forward positions. Reports state trade talks with the Colorado Avalanche for center Matt Duchene are on-going.
Let the games begin. The offseason games, that is. With needs at the forward positions, including center, the Nashville Predators are looking to makes move to improve their team. While they do possess $22 million in cap space, GM David Poile is known for making a quality trade. And his sights are set on a veteran center.
The target? Matt Duchene.
Duchene talks ongoing, shifting. Carolina, Nashville, others in the mix.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 23, 2017
The left-handed scorer would be a solid fit for a team in need of some offense. After losing James Neal in the Expansion Draft, and the possibility of Mike Fisher retiring, the Nashville Predators must find points from somewhere. Duchene could be that player.
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In eight seasons in the league, Duchene totaled 418 points, including five seasons of 55 or more. His 41 points last year were the second lowest of his career, scoring 28 points in 2011-12. Additionally, his plus/minus last year was -34, worst in the league. But then, the Avalanche were the worst team in the league by far. Did the team’s play contribute to these stat issues?
At what cost
Duchene is still under contract with the Avalanche, expecting to earn $6 million next year, and two years left. Any transaction to gain him will cost the team something. And that would be a defensemen. The deal would have to be worth it to pry a defensemen away from Poile.
Losing a defensemen would not be ideal for the team. But, the third overall draft pick in 2009 and scoring threat is worth the investigation. After the signing of Joonas Lyytinen and Yannick Weber, could the Predators deal Mattias Ekholm? It is unlikely. But, the Predators did pursue Duchene in February.
Next: David Poile wins NHL GM of the Year
But, I put nothing past David Poile.