Would Matt Duchene be a good short term fit as the Jets’ 2nd line centre?

Comply with us on our Jets Nation socials! X/Twitter: @NHLJetsNation and on Instagram: @JetsNationDotCa

Welcome to the month of June, the place 30 of the 32 NHL groups are of their low season making ready for the 2025-26 season. With the NHL draft developing in round 3 weeks adopted by NHL “free agent frenzy” day on July 1st, there’s nonetheless time for groups to arrange for these essential days. The Jets have loads of unrestricted and restricted free brokers to handle previous to free company, however one factor that’s for sure (that’s no secret) is that the Jets will probably be available in the market for a 2nd line centre. With a projected $25 million in cap house, the choices are there, and as we speak I ask the query if Matt Duchene (a pending unrestricted free agent) could be a great quick time period match because the Jets’ 2nd line centre.

In keeping with Sportsnet’s “Prime 12 UFAs of 2025“, Matt Duchene is ranked because the “eighth finest” free agent. Whereas there hasn’t been any rumours concerning the Jets being all for signing Matt Duchene, I feel the match might (and may) be there for the appropriate worth. If Nikolaj Ehlers will get a brand new contract with the Jets, a 2nd line of Ehlers, Duchene and Cole Perfetti may very well be fairly dynamic. Duchene will probably be 34 on July 1st, and his earlier wage cap hit was solely $3 million. After the Stars signed Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen to large extensions, Duchene will probably be in search of stability on his subsequent deal. Duchene has acknowledged that he’d “love to remain and make it work” in Dallas, however the Stars might produce other plans after one other Western Convention finals exit.

Duchene’s profession has been fairly fascinating since he was drafted third total by the Colorado Avalanche within the 2009 NHL entry draft. His first 2 seasons with the Avalanche had been very productive, however the remainder of his time in Colorado was up and down on a staff that solely went to the playoffs as soon as after his rookie season. The “prime” years for Duchene had been spent in Ottawa for two seasons, Columbus for 23 video games and 4 seasons with Nashville earlier than spending his final 2 seasons with Dallas. The 2021-22 season was when Duchene “rejuvenated” his profession, posting a 43 objective, 86 level season. Final season Duchene had his 2nd finest scoring season, accumulating 30 targets and 52 assists for 82 factors. Regardless of Duchene struggling within the playoffs, there’s nonetheless heaps within the tank for Duchene for not less than one other 3-4 good seasons.

So what would it not take for the Jets to contemplate taking an opportunity with Duchene over different 2nd line centre choices? Duchene’s pace and good faceoff expertise, alongside together with his management expertise and scoring abillity are all issues the Jets want in that function. Giving a participant who has 891 factors in 1138 video games a spot to name dwelling for the following 3-4 seasons (for the appropriate worth) is one thing Duchene would need, particularly for a staff that’s in a “win now” mode. Duchene doesn’t need anymore “one 12 months show it offers”, however relatively a spot to complete his profitable NHL profession, and the Jets might match simply that. A 3 12 months deal for a complete of $16.5 million would match the Jets low season price range, and would depart them with sufficient room to make different important low season transactions. Matt Duchene, a future Winnipeg Jet? Nonetheless unlikely at the moment, however an choice that the Jets ought to not less than take into account as a brief time period match because the Jets’ 2nd line centre for the following 3 seasons.

PRESENTED BY PRAIRIE TOYOTA DEALERS 

Source link