Despite recent comments from Colorado general manager Joe Sakic to the contrary, rumors involving Matt Duchene are alive and well.
It’s been a while since the Matt Duchene trade rumors were swirling, and it goes to show just how calm the trade market has been throughout this offseason.
As quickly as it faded, it has stormed back. Here’s the latest on the Duchene rumors with just shy of a month left until training camp, via Andy Graziano of SNY:
Sakic's comment on things 'being quiet' might not be entirely accurate, being told. Duchene chatter heating up again. #NHL
— Andy Graziano (@AndyGraz_SNY) August 24, 2017
And yes, until he's dealt, led to believe #isles very involved in the conversation. Have had numerous discussions, offer on table.
— Andy Graziano (@AndyGraz_SNY) August 24, 2017
There’s also this, for some clarification.
Keep in mind, however, teams and GMs talk all the time about lots of things, so that's really nothing new. Seems all waiting on Sakic.#isles
— Andy Graziano (@AndyGraz_SNY) August 24, 2017
(2) to make a decision on where, when and who he wants back. As I said after draft, can't see Duchene opening camp in Col. #isles
— Andy Graziano (@AndyGraz_SNY) August 24, 2017
Islanders general manager Garth Snow seems to have an offer readily available for the prized center. As it has been throughout this tedious process, all the focus is on Sakic to make a decision regarding his star player.
Fortunately for the Islanders and other teams interested, the wait to deal Duchene has only improved everyone’s chances. With all the drama, Sakic’s resistance to any and all offers and Duchene’s miserable end to the 2016-17 season, the asking price has to have dropped considerably.
There’s one more factor that benefits the Islanders in their goaltending prospect pool. There was bitter news in the beginning of July when top goalie prospect Ilya Sorokin re-signed with the HC CSKA Moscow of the KHL and extended his stay by three years.
Sorokin’s delay in his inevitable NHL arrival throws a bit of a monkey wrench in things, but now would be the time to package him in a deal. More-so since Linus Soderstrom, the Isles other prized goaltending prospect, signed a three-year entry level deal.
Sorokin has ties to current Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov who could prove useful in convincing his buddy to make the move overseas. With more trade pieces left to deal with, plus the first round and two second round picks acquired from Calgary for Travis Hamonic, it seems a deal may come to fruition after all.
Landing Matt Duchene would instantly propel the Islanders to a playoff team without a doubt, and evolve the team into a Dark Horse candidate from the East.
What will it ultimately take to land Duchene? More than likely something along the lines of:
Brock Nelson, Ilya Sorokin, 2018 1st round pick, 2019 second round pick
Dishing Brock to the Avalanche helps provide some immediate help in replacing Duchene, while Sorokin gives Colorado some hope in net and Sakic can begin to rebuild through an excess of picks, just as Lou Lamorillo began to do in Toronto.