Will Matt Duchene be traded soon?
The Score: Matt Duchene’s tenure in Ottawa could wind up being very brief, as the 2019 unrestricted free agent confirmed to reporters that he and the Senators haven’t had any contract talks yet. The Senators will not want to lose Duchene for nothing is a contract extension cannot be worked out.
Duchene noted that negotiations hadn’t started and said it “would be awesome” if a long-term deal worked out with the Senators. He reiterated Friday that he is open to re-signing in Ottawa, but added that he couldn’t help but watch John Tavares carve his own path in free agency this summer.
“It’s the first time you have that ultimate power as a player and you have to do what’s best for you,” Duchene said.
Duchene was acquired by the Sens in a blockbuster three-way trade last November, in which Ottawa sent its 2019 first-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche.
What will the Blue Jacket do with Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky?
The Score: Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen admits choices will need to be made on both Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky.
Both are pending unrestricted free agents. Panarin has already stated that he won’t negotiate an extension once camp opens, while the Blue Jackets also remain far apart in negotiations with Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner.
“If we can’t work out a contract, then we’ll have to make some decisions,” Kekalainen told NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti. “I wouldn’t say they’re just going to stay and ride out into the sunset.”
Still, Kekalainen remains hopeful that both players are long for Columbus.
