Colorado Avalanche Leaving Matt Duchene Exposed Makes Sense

The Colorado Avalanche and Las Vegas Golden Knights may have a deal worked out in the event that the Avs choose to leave Matt Duchene exposed.

The Colorado Avalanche choosing to leave Matt Duchene exposed makes sense.

First of all, let me apologize for the click-bait. I am an honest guy, and I realize that you may have clicked on this article in a state of shock. Let’s just get it on the table right now, I am sorry.

Moving on.

I think it makes sense for the Avs to expose Matt Duchene. Now, you have full license to yell obscenities at me once again. I know you’re saying, “why would the Avs do that when Vegas can’t give us a defenseman?” Or, “it’s a shame this guy lost it at such a young age, so much potential out the window…” Maybe the language was a bit more colorful though.

Fair points, but just hear me out.

Leaving Matt Duchene exposed may be a great move for the future:

This would certainly involve the Knights No. 6 overall draft pick.
Think of all the promising defensemen Vegas may have a shot at in the expansion draft, a defenseman who could then be flipped to the Avs.

In other words, the Avs get a first round draft pick, and a defensemen that likely should have been protected but was exposed so a team could protect a different player.

There are also no rules saying Vegas can’t immediately turn around and trade a player they select.

Are you at least interested in my proposal now? Good. Let’s get started.

Exposing Matt Duchene Makes Things Less Complicated

If the Avs choose to expose Matt Duchene it really depends on two things. First of all, Vegas has to include their first round draft pick in the deal. Secondly, the Avs have to be sure that the Knights will be selecting a defenseman they are interested in acquiring.

If those two stipulations come to fruition, then why not? The Avs get the defenseman they want, and two picks in the top ten — seems like an easy decision to me.

Then, the Avs can also avoid trying to deal Duchene to a team that may be just too in love with a defenseman to trade him. The Knights have no attachments — yet — to who they select in the expansion draft.

More from Mile High Sticking

Sure, they’ll be stoked to have a defenseman who can be a stalwart on the blue, but they’d also be hard pressed to find a No. 1 center of Duchene’s caliber who is available on the market. He’s a face-off machine, and will return to form with point production. He’s the type of center you can build a franchise around, and the Knights will know that.

Nonetheless, there are a lot of moving pieces involved in this scenario.

There is Some Risk Involved

While I’m sure Knights’ management have had a lot of conversations with teams on exposure, it’s ultimately not a certainty who will be available.

So, the Avs would be taking a risk and hoping the Knights will be selecting a defenseman suitable to what they are looking for. Keep in mind, there are a lot of teams in expansion draft trouble, so it’s likely the Knights will be able to select a quality defenseman.

Anyway, perhaps there is another way to make the trade worth it for the Avs. For example, they could lock down future draft picks from the Knights, as well as players of interest other than defensemen.

I recognize the risk. Hopefully management has mitigated the risks involved if they do end up choosing to go this route.

Conclusion

You have to think of everything when it comes to a rebuild. Hopefully the Avs are entertaining all options, and leaving Matt Duchene exposed should be one of those options.

Even though I believe they’ll be more apt to see what options they have on the draft floor, I like to think outside the box.

If the Knights are certain they’ll be selecting a top-tier defenseman a team just couldn’t figure out how to hold onto, then the Avs should jump at the opportunity to deal Matt Duchene for that defenseman.

Next: Avalanche Top Three Targets at No. 4 Overall

Look, it’s already a certainty that Marc-Andre Fleury will be walking The Strip soon. There may be other certainties as well. Those certainties could be defensemen the Avs would target otherwise.

Whatever happens, it’s a fun time of year. Within the next two weeks, we should have a pretty good idea of the direction the team is headed for next season.

Duchene is likely not a part of that direction.

Consider this for a moment: what kind of risk would you be willing to take in order to move Duchene and find the future?