Aaron Musick: The problem with trading 21 year olds
The danger of it

Out of curiosity how would you compare duchenes value to the 1st overall pick in this years draft

Out of curiosity how would you compare duchenes value to the 1st overall pick in this years draft
- ystoil

Duchene is a better playmaker and faster/more agile. Yakupov has a better release and a far more accurate shot.

With Nuge, Yakupov will score 40 goals a year, easily... from a Lazy Boy.

Out of curiosity how would you compare duchenes value to the 1st overall pick in this years draft
- ystoil

Rather have duchene, we know what we have and what he can be, you really dont know what Nail or any of the other top prospects can be once they get into the show.

Rather have duchene, we know what we have and what he can be, you really dont know what Nail or any of the other top prospects can be once they get into the show.
- DDM-Coga

Do we honestly know what we have in Duchene? I'm not sure we've seen the finished product yet.

I wouldn't call the Duchene stuff rumors just wild fan speculation/discussion. Of course then you can't call anything Eklund says as rumors either.

Anyway on the subject of Parise and Suter, good to hear the Avs may actually be going after big names, as you said when Dater says something like that it's usually true as he is pessimistic as it gets. That being said, this doesn't mean we are actually going to land them, We will probably end up with Semin and/or Carle instead.

We'll give you Horcoff for him! I mean, they're both practically 'untouchable' so the value must even out, right?

Do we honestly know what we have in Duchene? I'm not sure we've seen the finished product yet.
- martok2309

I think we see glimpses at it, soft handed play maker, he needs to be more consistent but I think he can be a game breaker once he figures it all out.

Last season probably helped him the most so far in his career, nothing came easy and he started to get some negative feedback and responses from fans and critiques. He ill grow from that. Hopefully training with Crosby will show him what he needs to do in the offseason to take his game to the next level and how to answer the critiques with his play on the ice.

We'll give you Horcoff for him! I mean, they're both practically 'untouchable' so the value must even out, right?
- MaximumBone

Thank you again for this.

I wouldn't call the Duchene stuff rumors just wild fan speculation/discussion. Of course then you can't call anything Eklund says as rumors either.

Anyway on the subject of Parise and Suter, good to hear the Avs may actually be going after big names, as you said when Dater says something like that it's usually true as he is pessimistic as it gets. That being said, this doesn't mean we are actually going to land them, We will probably end up with Semin and/or Carle instead.
- Avs-Ice

I agree, but that wouldn't be a bad thing. With your LW depth, he'd be a big addition. For Semin to play to his peak, I think he needs to be the center of attention on the team. He wants to be the game-breaking superstar sniper like his buddy Ovi, but he's always been stuck beneath said buddy. Keep in mind, I don't think he'll ever shore up his defensive game, but on a line with Landeskog or O'Reilly, that shouldn't be as much of a concern.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think if you give him the opportunity, he'll shine. Remember "Flash" back in 2010-11? Opportunity means a lot!

Then again, with the additions of Downie and McGinn last year, your wings are looking quite well stocked. So long as they can both continue their success, you guys are on the right track.

Steve Downie

Just trade him to the Leaffffs. Always been a big fan of Duchene. 5th overall plus Schenn enough?

Just trade him to the Leaffffs. Always been a big fan of Duchene. 5th overall plus Schenn enough?
- PootieTang

That's very tempting. We could draft Forsberg with that pick...

That's very tempting. We could draft Forsberg with that pick...
- martok2309

How can you say no to that flow?

I like the trade, but you guys would likely feel a load of remorse next year when Duchene would be putting up HUGE assist totals on TO's top line. You do have the center depth and are somewhat lacking in D depth, but...

Just trade him to the Leaffffs. Always been a big fan of Duchene. 5th overall plus Schenn enough?
- PootieTang

Would you still consider that offer for Stastny and, say, Calvin Pickard? More? Less? Not at all?

Aaron where has dater mentioned going after suter or parise?

Aaron where has dater mentioned going after suter or parise?
- trembz

His latest SI column with Muir

His latest SI column with Muir
- DDM-Coga

link please?

Aaron where has dater mentioned going after suter or parise?
- trembz

Twitter.

Just trade him to the Leaffffs. Always been a big fan of Duchene. 5th overall plus Schenn enough?
- PootieTang

no, Schenn sucks.

How can you say no to that flow?

I like the trade, but you guys would likely feel a load of remorse next year when Duchene would be putting up HUGE assist totals on TO's top line. You do have the center depth and are somewhat lacking in D depth, but...
- MaximumBone

Lupul-Duchene-Kessel would be good

Though that line with Stastny might be better because Stastny could find Kessel from anywhere around the net.

no, Schenn sucks.
- Drij

Yeah, he's not Jeff Finger, that's for sure.

link please?
- Sufa

I'm picking up more chatter Avs could make an offer for a Suter or Parise.

https://twitter.com/adate...status/213862471398719489

I am trying to remember how to post tweets in comments section as they appear. Anyone help?

Aaron stuff like this really drives me crazy.

"There are some serious questions about Duchene's work ethic, dedication and perhaps his durability."

Work ethic? The kid refused to sit in the press box while he had injuries to BOTH legs.

Dedication? I believe at the end of the season he openly reiterated that his number one goal was to raise the cup in the Avs sweater. Playing injured also speaks to dedication..

Durability? How many times do people need to be reminded of the fact that he had two minor sprains after two and a half years in the league. The injuries were not related or serious..

It's people throwing out comments like that, that give people the wrong idea about Duchene. There are ZERO questions about his work ethic. Just because a young player gets moved to the 4th line a couple times does not mean that he instantly has issues with his work ethic. We all know how random ass Sacco's benching or NOT benching players can be.

Players like Stewart get the "work ethic" issues label for showing up out of shape or disappearing for very long stretches without an excuse.. Duchene? No where even close to the same thing. As you pointed out he is 21. He has also had a rough time keeping line-mates around. That has to be frustrating as well.

I am surprised you dropped those bombs and I have to say I don't agree.

Aaron stuff like this really drives me crazy.

"There are some serious questions about Duchene's work ethic, dedication and perhaps his durability."

Work ethic? The kid refused to sit in the press box while he had injuries to BOTH legs.

Dedication? I believe at the end of the season he openly reiterated that his number one goal was to raise the cup in the Avs sweater. Playing injured also speaks to dedication..

Durability? How many times do people need to be reminded of the fact that he had two minor sprains after two and a half years in the league. The injuries were not related or serious..

It's people throwing out comments like that, that give people the wrong idea about Duchene. There are ZERO questions about his work ethic. Just because a young player gets moved to the 4th line a couple times does not mean that he instantly has issues with his work ethic. We all know how random ass Sacco's benching or NOT benching players can be.

Players like Stewart get the "work ethic" issues label for showing up out of shape or disappearing for very long stretches without an excuse.. Duchene? No where even close to the same thing. As you pointed out he is 21. He has also had a rough time keeping line-mates around. That has to be frustrating as well.

I am surprised you dropped those bombs and I have to say I don't agree.
- Steve-B

The alleged, I'll emphasize alleged, concerns are legitimate.

Work ethic during the offseason. He spent too much time not working out. What he did to get healthy, I'll give him credit for that.

Dedication on the ice to play team defense for 60 minutes is what worries me. Last, he was injured last year so durability is always a question that applies, especially for smaller, faster players.

They are legitimate concerns that he has to address and I did say that I think he will be better and will improve. He just has to go out there to do it.