The Matt Duchene rumours have started again. The rumour mill was quiet during the summer, but speculation has started up again with Duchene missing the first captain’s practice yesterday. There has now been some talk that Duchene might even miss training camp.

Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 590 this morning mentioned that Columbus was still in on the Colorado centre. Transcribed quote from Fan Rag Sports:

“I get the sense there have been some renewed efforts to try to trade him. I think Columbus is very much in there. I think they were a team that very aggressively tried to close the deal right around the beginning of July last year and didn’t do so.

“I know that Colorado has also been looking young, young, young. They’ve really wanted young players in exchange for Duchene, guys that were controllable for a long time.”

Friedman also mentions Carolina as a possible landing spot for Duchene. Carolina has the young defencemen that Colorado seems to covet. The Jackets do have a couple young defencemen in Gabriel Carlsson and Ryan Murray who may be of interest to Colorado. There was some speculation early in the summer that the Jackets had an offer of Murray and Boone Jenner on the table, but Aaron Portzline shot those rumours down this morning.

Also told speculation of a Ryan Murray + Boone Jenner #CBJ offer for Duchene was not, at that time, accurate. Was never put on table by #CBJ

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 6, 2017

Portzline also reported that the Jackets are among the teams in talks for Duchene.

To last RT …

Was told in late August that 3-4 teams had circled back with #Avs in talks for Duchene, but #CBJ were not then among them.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 6, 2017

This is a very confusing situation, but personally I think the Jackets are still in on Duchene. The team is weak down the middle and with Brandon Dubinsky not looking like he will be ready for training camp it all just amplifies the need for another centre.

Portzline does bring up an interesting point, the Jackets may be waiting for training camp to get a look at Pierre-Luc Dubois and see if he’s ready to be an NHL regular. If he’s not then the Jackets could re-open talks with Colorado. At the same time it’s never a bad idea to accumulate depth, or acquire more good skilled players. By going after Duchene the Jackets don’t have to rush Dubinsky back if he’s not ready and they won’t have pressure to keep to Dubois in the NHL if he’s not ready.

The Jackets are looking to build upon a franchise best season, with the Metro looking as strong as ever it makes sense for them to continue to add and bring in a player like Matt Duchene.

You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot

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