All that talk of a possible Matt Duchene trade by the Colorado Avalanche was probably a little premature. As noted in a very well-reasoned discussion by Chris Nichols of Today's Slap Shot on Monday - how often do you get to read about chyron's? - the initial report seemed to have been twisted and, ultimately, lost in translation a bit, thanks to both the manner of TSN's reporting and the way the story was picked up and shared thereafter. Originally, TSN's trio of NHL insider's said simply that interest was being gauged, both by the Avs and other teams around the league.
Eventually, it became that Duchene was on the market and teams, like the Ottawa Senators, were said to be intrigued by the thought of adding the budding star forward. Unfortunately, perception doesn't always match reality and a further Monday report from one of those very same TSN NHL insiders, Pierre LeBrun, suggests that talk of a Duchene deal was really just that - talk.
Though, the reason for the talk seems pretty interesting.
LeBrun, asked how aggressive he thought #Avs were on Duchene trade front: "I don't think it's that aggressive."
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) November 16, 2015
LeBrun: After moving O’Reilly, after not signing Stastny, I don’t think they could afford to move another top center. I could be wrong. #Avs — Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) November 16, 2015
LeBrun: Surprising element at the time of report was just the fact that Duchene’s name was involved. Don’t think it’s front-burner desire.
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) November 16, 2015
LeBrun: I took info I was getting from other teams as #Avs just protecting themselves in case things went south this year. Knowing value. — Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) November 16, 2015
It certainly says something that, while Avs GM Joe Sakic wasn't putting out a for sale sign, he was doing his due diligence in case the season tanked. And therein lies what could be the biggest issue for fans in Colorado.
Assuming LeBrun's report is accurate, that doesn't speak well of Sakic's expectations for the remainder of 2015-16. While that doesn't mean that he's expecting failure, it does seem to pain the picture of a man who knows all-too-well that that's a very real possibility, especially with his team sitting in last place in the Central Division and only three points from the basement of the Western Conference.
Then again, as Sakic himself said after talk of a Duchene deal first surfaced, talk goes on constantly around the league, involving nearly any and every player.
"Are there conversations? There are conversation about every single player on every single team. That's the reality. But it doesn't necessarily mean you want to do something," Sakic told the Denver Post.
Still, it's not the conversation that's potentially troubling to Avs fans. If Sakic is prepping for the worst, he may not be throwing in the towel, but he's certainly signaling a negative outlook.
