Pittsburgh Penguins: Is a Matt Duchene Trade Necessary?

It’s the NHL offseason and as always there are rumours surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Coming off their second straight Stanley Cup championship, the Pittsburgh Penguins are only looking to improve their team as they look for the three-peat.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Well one trade rumour that has been buzzing all season is that Colorado Avalanche star forward Matt Duchene is on the trading block. Not only that though, but the Penguins have been linked to him all season. Talk were high during the trade deadline, and while Pittsburgh won a cup without him, it seems as though he is back on their radar.

With third line centre Nick Bonino leaving the Pens to sign with the Nashville Predators, it leaves a big gaping hole. Matt Duchene can fill this hole easily. But is the trade for him worth it?

The Answer

Yes, it is.

The Penguins are missing that third line centre. Looking at free agency, there aren’t many good free agents that we can sign to cover this role. Just looking at a few of the available ones like Brooks Laich and Daniel Winnik, we can see that the options aren’t too great.

So what can we do to fill this spot? We can evaluate the trade market and acquire our third line centre that way.

Obviously there are other choices out there if we shop around, but just think about the idea of getting Matt Duchene. He’s better than just a third line centre. He is a star and can slot in easily in any top six, maybe even most first lines.

If he came here, we can play him as the third line centre, but also on the power play and take a little weight off Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Just imagine a centre core of those three. Our lines would be easily interchangeable and it would really help when injuries occur.

Maybe Duchene is just a pipe dream. But if he’s available, if we have the cap space, and if we can make an offer, why not? Let me know what you think in the comments!