Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene trade jumpstarts rebuild

Hats off to Colorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic for using the Matt Duchene trade to jumpstart his rebuild.

The Matt Duchene saga has been arguably the NHL’s most fascinating storyline for the better part of the 2017 calendar year. Ever since February, there have been rumors about the Colorado Avalanche trading their star.

However, it didn’t happen because general manager Joe Sakic set an extremely high price tag. One that a lot of teams were scared to match. The Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, and Montreal Canadiens all were interested. Other teams were too, but the asking price and Sakic’s refusal to back down from it scared them away.

But all it takes is one team to pay your ludicrous price. And that team was the team that made sense all along. The Ottawa Senators, though they did get some help, ironically, from the Predators. Ottawa got Duchene while Nashville got center Kyle Turris (and extended him for six years immediately after acquiring him).

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The Avalanche got defenseman Samuel Girard, forward prospect Vladislav Kamenev and a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft from the Predators. From the Senators, they got forward prospect Shane Bowers, goaltender Andrew Hammond, a first-round selection in the 2018 draft and a third-round pick in 2019. That first round pick is lottery protected (top 10). It’s unlikely Ottawa finishes in the top 10. But if they do, they have the option of keeping it, though they would then have to give up their 2019 first rounder, no matter what.

Hats off to Sakic

Standing firm on his price for Duchene was a very bold move for Sakic. It was a risky move that could have gotten him fired. But man, did it pay off. The Avalanche got an extremely promising defenseman in Girard. Though he’s just 19 years old, he has NHL experience with the Predators. Right now, he might benefit from one season in the AHL. But Girard held his own as a teenager, which is something not many blueliners can say.

Bowers was the first round pick of the Senators in the 2017 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old center has the potential to be a stud on offense, even though he hasn’t been a point per game player in juniors. But when you watch Bowers play, it’s obvious he’s a very dangerous player who can do a lot of special things. Certainly a great prospect to target.

Kamenev was one of the Predators’ top prospects. He’s been doing well for the Milwaukee Admirals, their AHL affiliate, over the past two seasons. Kamenev has 96 points in 136 AHL games. He has a unique offensive potential that the Avalanche should benefit from. Kamenev is probably NHL ready, but there’s no sense in rushing him. Colorado has options, which is a good thing.

That’s three great prospects. And the draft picks are very good too. The NHL draft is a crap shoot for sure. But doesn’t this mean having a larger magazine beneficial? You get more chances to “hit” with a prospect.

Next: Avalanche Top 10 Prospects

This trade benefits every team involved. It’s quite rare to see that in a three-team trade. But unquestionably, the Avalanche emerge as the biggest winners. And by jumpstarting a long overdue rebuild, Sakic might have just saved his job.

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