Eurolanche

The elephant in the room

The Colorado Avalanche trading Matt Duchene sent shockwaves through the NHL. Not that his trade was unexpected. Quite the opposite, almost everyone knew that he’ll be traded eventually. What was shocking, though, was the fashion he was traded in. Duchene was in the lineup for the team’s final game before flying over to Sweden against the New York Islanders, when he abruptly left the game, following Blake Comeau to the locker room. Eventually, the news broke that Duchene was traded and he was then seen making his way out of the building with his bags packed. It was later announced that Duchene had been traded  to the Ottawa Senators in a three-team swap, making the entire situation even more bizarre. The winner of the entire trade remains to be seen, but one thing is sure – the Avalanche are better off with the entire situation behind them.

“The atmosphere’s good. In a way, we’re all relieved. It was an open secret, everyone knew that it was all just a matter of time. Now, we can put the entire situation behind us. We don’t have to deal with it anymore, we don’t have to constantly give interviews about it. It’s good that we can put it behind us,” said Sven Andrighetto for Eurolanche. How was it to have a player who was so open about wanting to leave the team in the locker room? “He was still a part of the team, a very important one. He was very professional about the entire situation. We all knew he wanted out, but he still gave his best at practices and during games.” As was previously mentioned, Duchene and the Avs will meet again in their very next game, Duchene’s first one wearing a jersey of a different team than Colorado. “It’s interesting with the trade that he’s playing us right off the bat. It’s a pretty cool circumstance and will surely be a battle out there,” explained Colin Wilson. 

Mikko Rantanen shared Andrighetto’s view of the trade being beneficial for both parties. “I think it’s good that it’s done now. Everyone knew he wanted to leave. Now, we can move forward. It’s good for both teams that it happened now,” said Rantanen. “Although everyone knew he wanted out, I have to give respect to Dutchy, as he was very professional. He still showed up at the rink and gave his best. He had a great attitude. Now, he’s happy and we’re happy too, so it’s all for the best.” Captain Gabriel Landeskog was also asked about the trade during his press conference after practice, saying that there are no hard feelings between him and Duchene and that he wishes him all the best. “Just not these two games,” added Landeskog with a smile.

Michal Hezely, the author of this article, was given media accreditation for the entire NHL Global Series and is reporting directly from Stockholm, Sweden.

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