from Lyle Richardson at The Hockey News,
During an appearance last Friday on Buffalo's WGR 550, TSN analyst Darren Dreger said GM Joe Sakic is going to have to do something to improve his club's culture. Dreger notes core players such as left winger Gabriel Landeskog or center Matt Duchene are the subject of trade speculation.
Dreger's colleague Bob McKenzie told Toronto's TSN 1050 he thinks there's a sense of urgency for the Avalanche to change something. If Sakic moves a core player, McKenzie cautions he must ensure he gets a good return. Of those players, McKenzie doubts they'll move the 21-year-old MacKinnon, who signed a seven-year, $44.1-million contract last summer.
Duchene could attract the most interest among rival GMs. Last season, he reached the 30-goal plateau for the first time. With 12 goals in 30 games this season, he's on pace to do it again. ESPN.com's Craig Custance includes the center on his “All-Trade-Candidates” team. Noting the Avs need for an impact defenseman and the Carolina Hurricanes' depth in good, young blueliners, Custance suggests Duchene could be a fit there.
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