Colorado Avalanche

Duchene knows he could be dealt; Barrie, Bourque still injured February 6, 2017, 5:37 PM ET [4 Comments] Rick Sadowski  Colorado Avalanche Blogger • Avalanche Insider • RSS • Archive • CONTACT

Matt Duchene addressed trade rumors again Monday, just as he had at the morning skate Jan. 25 before playing Vancouver after sitting out the previous game against San Jose because of illness.

The Avalanche play Montreal on Tuesday at the Pepsi Center, and this time he fielded trade speculation questions from members of the Canadiens media.

Duchene previously said he was "open" to a trade, but his entire quote to explain what he meant wasn't used by all media outlets (it was here), making it sound as though he'd be fine with a trade.

"I said I was open to it because it's part of the business and I accept that," he said Monday. "When you sign your contract, you know that you can get traded at any point. It sucks what's happened here. There's a good chance that guys that are here right now won't be here next year, and I'm probably one of them. It might happen. All I can do is control what I can control right now, the rest is up to the management."

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(His previous full quote: "The trade rumor stuff is part of the business. I've said it before, I understand at this juncture of the season the way things are going, something may happen, something may not. We'll see. I'm open to it in terms of -- when I say open to it, I mean I know it's part of the business and it's something that may happen. I'm not hiding from it, I'm not running away, I'm not burying my head. I understand that it's part of what we deal with as pro athletes, it comes with the territory.")

Here's more from Monday:

"It hasn't happened yet, I guess. I don't know if it's going to happen, it's one of those things I'll address once it happens or it doesn't. I have no clue what's going to happen here. Right now I'm a member of the Avalanche and that's who I'm playing for and that's who I'm trying to win with every night."

On the Avalanche's 14-33-2 record and last-place standing:

"It's terrible, it's tough to come to the rink sometimes, it becomes more of job than usual. Usually, when you're winning, it's fun, you're a kid again. Guys are scoring and things are going well. You look at the Habs, I mean, they're having such a great year. Last year, their guys were probably answering the same questions I'm answering right now. That's the way it goes, it's part of the business and we just have to play with pride every night and try and do what we can."

On his relationship with general manager Joe Sakic:

"He knows how I feel about him in terms of growing up. He knows what he meant to me and I still look up to him a lot, but at the same time we have a business relationship and there's that kind of understanding as well. If I'm not pulling my weight, he'll talk to me every now and then. Usually the coaches do it, but if things are going well he'll say something good.

"We have a great relationship and I don't expect that to change no matter what happens here. I'm not going to be bitter at him if he decides that I need to move. He's a guy that I'll always hold in that account and it doesn't really matter what happens."

On the scouts that have been attending Avalanche games:

"I look at it a bit more as a compliment, maybe that people want to come and watch me play, maybe want me on their team. That's how I try and look at it. I'm a glass full type of guy and I try to spin things the best I can. I just try and make the best of the situation."

On the Avalanche's approach to Tuesday's game after getting shellacked 10-1 by the Canadiens in Montreal on Dec. 10:

"Last time we played these guys they embarrassed us. I wouldn't say we want revenge, but we want to redeem ourselves for sure. We're a competitive group and we got embarrassed that night. They were unbelievable. We were embarrassed by our own effort and how good they were. They didn't do anything out of the ordinary in terms of trying to embarrass us. I mean, 10-1, terrible. We want to definitely have a better showing."

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Calvin Pickard will start in goal after making 23 saves Saturday in a 5-2 win against Winnipeg that ended the Avalanche's losing streak at nine games.

Tyson Barrie skated before practice, but coach Jared Bednar said he'll miss his second game in a row and sixth in the past nine games because of a lower-body injury. Rene Bourque will miss his second in a row and fifth in eight games with a lower-body injury. Fedor Tyutin practiced and Bednar said he is "probable" after missing three games because of hip and groin injuries.

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Defenseman Mark Barberio, claimed on waivers from Montreal last Thursday, is excited to play against his former teammates.

"As soon as I got picked up by Colorado I checked the schedule," he said. "Go figure, you're playing Montreal now; it's funny how things work out like that, but I won't be surprised by any of their players, that's for sure. I know them pretty well."

Barberio was solid while playing 20:31 in his Avalanche debut Saturday. He's an excellent skater and showed good playmaking skills.

"I thought it went well and it was nice to get that first win," he said.[/size]