Colorado Avalanche Offense: 5 Questions for the Upcoming Season

Mar 12, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Will Matt Duchene finally have his breakout year?

At the time of his draft in 2009, center Matt Duchene was the highest draft pick the Colorado Avalanche had ever had — #3. Ever since then, all eyes have been on Duchene as something of the team’s savior.

I don’t want to say Matt Duchene has failed to produce. However, he finished fourth on the team for scoring last season (21 goals, 34 assists) — that’s not really what we’ve been expecting, especially since he played all 82 games for the first time in his career.

Duchene has certainly had some good years, including 70 points (and team leader) in 71 games during the 2013-14 season. His 27 goals during the 2010-11 season were pretty special, as were the 24 goals his rookie season.

Matt Duchene has never cracked that 30-goal mark, and he can get downright streaky in his scoring. Can he at least crack the former and be a dominant scoring force on the team again?

Next: Grigorneko?