It doesn't matter what is talked about this offseason, one name from fans gets brought up again and again.
Matt Duchene.
The 26 year-old center for the Colorado Avalanche has reportedly been on the market for some time. In one way shape or form, the hype of him coming to Columbus continues to get brought up.
I'm now naturally feeding into it but it needs to be addressed.
Duchene is one of the most exciting players in the league. There is no hyperbole behind that statement. He is a human highlight reel and speeds by players on a regular basis. It's easy to fall in love with him as a player.
Speed and a position that is coveted by the Blue Jackets, it seems like a perfect fit. It makes sense that people have connected the dots and have demanded that such a player end up in Columbus.
Any deal involving him would be considered a mega deal. Is such a trade involving the Blue Jackets even feasible?
The Case For
Young, speedy and puts pucks in the back of the net. From a very basic sense he fills a need. Another scorer that jives with what the Blue Jackets are trying to do.
Last season, it was stated multiple times throughout the year that the Blue Jackets' goal was to push the puck up ice as quickly as they could to throw off opposing defenses. Duchene is that idea carried out to it's full potential.
Any team should be looking to add 50+ points to their lineup. Duchene brings that with his eyes closed.
The Case Against
His best years may be behind him. At 26 years old, Duchene isn't the spring chicken he once was. For a period of time, Duchene was averaging close to a point per game. Ever since almost being a point per game it in 2013-14, his points per game have oscillated and gone down to it's lowest level since 2011-12.
A lot of it can be attributed to a historically bad Avalanche team but his play changes with how his team is doing. In the years that Colorado were average to good, he had great numbers, when they had below average years, he didn't post his normal average. It can be attributed to either a passive style of play or a more team oriented game. Either way it doesn't look great.
For all of his scoring, Duchene has only scored more than 59 points twice in his eight year career and scored 59 points exactly one other time. Not to mention he posted his worst goal scoring total since his third season in the league. He'll bounce back, just how far back is the question.
It's odd considering Alex Wennberg posted 59 points this past year and isn't labeled as number one center by some. Both have good shot rates and relative to their teammates are improvements. By almost any metric, both are number one centers.
Do you want to give up the farm for some one that might only be a mild improvement over a player you already have? Fast forwarding the team's process and potentially giving up prospects for a player that is similar to one you already have is redundant.
There is nothing wrong with adding to a strength. If it causes a weakness though via trade, it should bring pause.
The Verdict: Not Likely
This could always change in a moments notice. The Golden Knights at the expansion draft are going to throw a wrench in a lot of team's plans. Duchene, however, is likely to avoid all of that noise.
The value on Duchene is at an all-time low. The Avalanche aren't likely to sell a player at his lowest value of his career. Anything being offered to them is likely not up to snuff. Hurting the Avalanche even more is Duchene's current contract situation. He only has two more years left on his deal and then becomes an unrestricted free agent. No general manager is going to trade a big bounty to a player that may soon bolt for free agency.
What may help the Blue Jackets if they're serious in acquiring him is the lack of suitors that could take on Duchene. Most teams with a lot of cap space have a number one center of the future. Columbus would need to get creative with their trade and make sure enough money leaves town to make the ledger work for the next season.
The Avalanche are looking to go younger. Most of the big money deals that the Blue Jackets have to deal are with aging veterans or cornerstone youngsters. Salary dumps aren't going to be attractive and the Blue Jackets aren't going to give up on young, blossoming players.
A much larger trade would have to be afoot for Duchene to join Columbus. Considering the pieces in play it doesn't look promising. Never say never though in today's NHL.
