The Avalanche will begin training camp in about a month, and general manager Joe Sakic on Thursday indicated that Matt Duchene, whose name continues to be prominently mentioned in trade rumors, would be in attendance.

Sakic, who's been extremely quiet since the Avalanche's 48-point finish last season, spoke before teeing off in his annual charity golf tournament that benefits Food Bank of the Rockies.

Without mentioning Duchene's name, Sakic told the Denver Post that he will be "listening to offers," which he presumably has been doing throughout the offseason.

"Right now it’s quiet on all fronts,” he said. “But I’ll listen to offers on how we can get better. I’ll never name names, but I’ll sit there and if something makes sense for the way we want to go with our team, we’ll really look at that.”

As for unsigned restricted free agent defenseman Nikita Zadorov, Sakic said they have agreed on a two-year contract, but salary remains a sticking point.

The Moscow-born Zadorov reportedly is considering playing in the Kontinental Hockey League unless the Avalanche improve their offer.

“Both sides agreed to a two-year deal and we just have to figure out the numbers,” Sakic said. “We’ve got our NHL comps that we’re going with and he’s got to make a decision at some point on what he wants to do.”

The Avalanche have three returning regular defensemen under contract -- Mark Barberio, Tyson Barrie and Erik Johnson. Whatever happens with Zadorov, prospects Chris Bigras, Anton Lindholm, Andrei Mironov and maybe even Duncan Siemens will get looks in camp.

“I’d like to see them and then we’ll see how training camp goes," Sakic said. "There’s a lot of things that can happen during training camp. Right now, everybody’s content. It’s August and I want to give these young guys a chance. Lindholm is going to be here, Mironov -- who I really expect is going to be here and help us out -- and Bigras, who unfortunately got hurt (last) year."

Speaking of defensemen, Hobey Baker Award winner Will Butcher became an unrestricted free agent at 10 p.m. MT Tuesday. Butcher, the Avalanche's fifth-round pick (No. 123) in the 2013 NHL draft, had 37 points in 43 games while captain of the University of Denver's 2017 NCAA championship team.

Sakic, who wanted to sign Butcher, said the player was taking advantage of his right to check out offers from other teams.

"He’ll see what’s out there for him and see where that goes," Sakic said.

The Avalanche did sign free agent forward Dominic Toninato to a two-year, two-way entry-level contract. Toninanto, 23, was Toronto's fifth-round pick in 2012 and also became a free agent Tuesday.

The 6-feet-2, 200-pound Toninanto, who is from Duluth, Minn., was captain of NCAA runnerup Minnesota Duluth. A solid defensive center, he had 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 42 games last season. He had 91 points (54 goals, 37 assists) in 151 games in college.

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The Avalanche will play their annual Burgundy and White Game on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m. at Magness Arena on the University of Denver campus.



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