A Winning Habit
Fansided

The Montreal Canadiens greatest rival in signing Matt Duchene

By Omar L

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 30: Matt Duchene #95 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against Kyle Turris #8 of the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on March 30, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 30: Matt Duchene #95 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against Kyle Turris #8 of the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on March 30, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens
COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 28: Matt Duchene Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Centring Offence

The Predators made headlines at the 2019 NHL Draft when making the P.K. Subban trade. It was a fleece of a trade given Subban’s abilities in this league, but Nashville needed a team to take on the full $9 million cap hit. The trade frees up space to resign captain Josi at some point before next summer and also gives Nashville room to make a big swing in free agency.

Poile said he’d like to use that extra money to address their forward corps and Duchene checks all the boxes. He can score goals and make plays and would be a better compliment with Forsberg and Arvidsson as well as a major boost on the power play (which had absolutely nothing going for it in the playoffs).

With Duchene and possibly a full-time debut of 2017 first-round pick Eeli Tolvanen, the Nashville Predators can change the scope of their perception and perhaps go on a run for a cup.

Given how the market has changed thanks to the Philadelphia Flyers giving Kevin Hayes a $7.14 million AAV, you have to think $9 million is the minimum for Duchene. Not only that, but Johansen makes $8 million and Duchene is a better option given the offensive production.

Now to the Montreal Canadiens. It’s not as dire as it was four or five years ago when the team didn’t know the meaning of a true top-six centre. They have options coming up in the system after a good rookie season from Jesperi Kotkaniemi and an impressive debut from Ryan Poehling. However, adding Duchene gives the Habs a creative mind on the power play and pushes others to a better spot in the lineup.

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