Matt Duchene
ESNY’s projected cost: Brock Nelson, Travis Hamonic, Ryan Pulock, 1st-round draft pick, possible 2nd-round draft pick
Ah, yes. The coveted center seemingly wasting away in Colorado on a team that loses 72 percent of their games.Matt Duchene seems to be on the radar of every team aspiring to make noise in the playoffs this season and beyond. Why wouldn’t he be?
Duchene is a skilled two-way forward who potted 55 points in his rookie season and never looked back. Since then, Duchene has compiled 172 goals and 413 points through 550 games spanning eight NHL seasons. Duchene set career highs in points and assists with 47 and 70 respectively in 2013-’14.
He’s coming off of his first 30-goal season and is likely to crack another 50 point season this year.
One of the teams that has been consistently linked to trade-talks regarding the talented center dating back to last season is the Isles. We’ve actually covered the topic extensively throughout the season, as is seen here.
If Duchene manages to make it to the Islanders, the price will be steep at the deadline, but he’ll likely center the second line. The Islanders need to act now. To wait for the offseason to come and pass likely gives Sakic more time to consider other offers for his coveted center. Colorado wants defense and they want young talent.
The Islanders seem to have both in droves.
As was mentioned before, Hamonic is now expendable with the emergence of defense in the pipeline. You have to give to get, and the Islanders have done enough getting in terms of prospects and pipeline assets.
It’s time to shell out some of those touted prospects to bring success more immediately. Possessing an extended history with John Tavares, Duchene is a natural fit for the Islanders and carries just a $6 million cap hit that extends for the next two seasons.
