Five Current Colorado Avalanche Players Most Likely To Be Hall of Famers
By Austin Manak
3. Matt Duchene
Oct 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) during the game against the New York Islanders at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Duchene might be the most identifiable Avalanche player at the moment. He was a fan of the team growing up, and has been a fan favorite since arriving in Denver. Duchene’s passion for the franchise and city he plays for, make him one of the more endearing athletes in the Mile High City today.
Dutchy has had a fine career so far, but he will need to step it up if he wants to acquire credentials worthy of the Hall of Fame. Duchene’s goal scoring and point per game averages, will need to take an upward spike. He will also need to put in some big performances in the playoffs or in international play to really cement his reputation. If he does end up playing his entire career with the Avalanche, and helps bring a Stanley Cup or two to Denver, it will be hard for the voters to ignore him. You just don’t see those type of guys who define a franchise very often.
Duchene is still very young, at 23 years old, and has the majority of his career still ahead of him. I flip-flipped a couple of times on whether I thought MacKinnon or Duchene would be more likely to have a Hall of Fame career, but in the end decided to go with MacKinnon, by a hair. I think MacKinnon’s long term upside is just too tantalizing to ignore, and he just seems to have that “it” factor. Honestly though, Duchene is my favorite player, so I’m pulling for him.
Make it easy, and both have Hall of Fame careers, eh. I’m sure Avalanche fans wouldn’t complain.
Duchene Career Stats
Goals: 111
Assists: 165
Points: 276
Games Played: 356
Notable Career Accomplishments
- 2014 Olympic gold medal with team Canada
- 2011 NHL All-Star
- 2009 Calder Memorial Trophy finalist (NHL rookie of the year)