European Fan Club of Colorado Avalanche

Duchene trade: what's your take?

The Colorado Avalanche traded Matt Duchene in a three-team trade for a total of four players and three draft picks. What’s your take on the trade?

The Colorado Avalanche were part of this season’s first blockbuster trade, trading Matt Duchene in a three-team swap to the Ottawa Senators, who traded Kyle Turris to Nashville via Colorado. Ultimately, the Avalanche received defenseman Samuel Girard, forwards Vladislav Kamenev and Shane Bowers, goalie Andrew Hammond, Ottawa’s first-round pick in 2018 and a third-round pick in 2019, as well as Nashville’s second-round pick in 2018. Duchene has been the subject of constant trade rumors since last season, as the Avs management opted for a wait-and-see approach, citing wanting to get the best possible return for the young forward. The relationship between the Avs brass and Duchene kept deteriorating, reaching the point where Duchene didn’t feel a part of the team anymore, trained as if he wasn’t a member of the Avalanche during the offseason and failed to report for the start of training camp. The initial deal between the three teams fell through, but a supposedly revised trade was officially announced during the Avs’ game against the Islanders.

The very last photo of Matt Duchene in an Avalanche jersey

In a bizarre turn of events, the coaching staff was apparently informed of the trade, proceeded to break the news to Duchene, who then headed for the locker room together with the injured Blake Comeau. Duchene was later seen leaving the dressing room with his bags already packed. “For a guy who didn’t want to be here, he showed up every day and worked hard and had a good attitude,” said Erik Johnson after the game, further proving how damaged the relationship between the Avs and Duchene really was. “But at the end of the day, we all want to play for the Colorado Avalanche and do great things here. And, he didn’t.” Thus, the Duchene trade saga is finally over. Do you agree with the Avs’ decision to trade him? Did the Avalanche get enough in return? What’s your take on the trade and the entire situation? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.