Will Columbus make a trade for Matt Duchene?
Columbus Dispatch: Aaron Portzline reports the Columbus Blue Jackets were trying to swing a trade to acquire center Matt Duchene from the Colorado Avalanche. Discussions between Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen and Avalanche GM Joe Sakic held lengthy trade discussions on Saturday. Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray was assumed to be part of a possible deal for Duchene.
Portzline speculates another Jackets roster player (“perhaps Boone Jenner, Oliver Bjorkstrand or Cam Atkinson”) would have to be included. The Jackets could also have interest in Ilya Kovalchuk in a sign-and-trade scenario with the New Jersey Devils.
New York Rangers rumors
New York Post: Larry Brooks recently reported the New York Rangers, prior to signing Kevin Shattenkirk on Saturday, inquired into Colorado’s Tyson Barrie, Winnipeg’s Jacob Trouba and Carolina’s Justin Faulk. The cost for Barrie was Brady Skjei, which is a non-starter for the Blueshirts. Trouba and Faulk were ruled off-limits by their respective teams.
The Carolina Hurricanes seek top-6 forward
The Fourth Period: The Carolina Hurricanes explored the possibility of acquiring forward Matt Duchene from the Colorado Avalanche, but trade talks broke off after the Avs insisted on defenseman Noah Hanifin to be included in a deal. The Hurricanes have roughly $20.2 million in salary cap space, and while they aren’t in a position to spend to the cap, they are willing to add salary to their roster.
