Avs Notes: Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene named to Team Canada
By Andrew Dill
Dec 17, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) skates against the Dallas Stars during the first period at American Airlines Center. Duchene scores a goal in the first. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene was named to Team Canada Tuesday morning after having a solid first-half for the Avs. The Avalanche currently sit at 26-12-4, with 56 points in the Central Division and in prime position for a play-off spot. They are hot of late, winning three out of their last four games with rookie Nathan MacKinnon red-hot.
Matt Duchene has been a key part of the Avalanche’s success as the center leads in the team in multiple categories: Points (38), Goals (16), Assists (22), and Shots on Goal (122). Here is more from ESPN as Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun’s share their take of Matt Duchene:
Scott Burnside:
"Duchene is one of the catalysts to the surprising first-half performance of the Colorado Avalanche, and while his production may have fallen off a bit, he’s still a point-a-game guy and a dynamic offensive force. Will battle Jamie Benn for ice time on the left side, assuming Chris Kunitz lines up with Crosby."
Pierre LeBrun:
"Speed, speed, speed. If you want to look at the one of the great examples of why Team Canada is sensitive to the requirements of big ice, it’s Duchene, whose blazing speed made him a must addition."
Here is the list of Team Canada’s roster:
Goaltenders:
Roberto Luongo: Vancouver Canucks
Carey Price: Montreal Canadiens
Mike Smith: Phoenix Coyotes
Defensemen:
Jay Bouwmeester: St. Louis Blues
Drew Doughty: Los Angeles Kings
Dan Hamhuis: Vancouver Canucks
Duncan Keith: Chicago Blackhawks
Alex Pietrangelo: St. Louis Blues
P.K. Subban: Montreal Canadiens
Marc Edouard Vlasic: San Jose Sharks
Shea Weber: Nashville Predators
Forwards:
Jamie Benn: Dallas Stars
Patrice Bergeron: Boston Bruins
Jeff Carter: Los Angeles Kings
Sidney Crosby: Pittsburgh Penguins
Matt Duchene: Colorado Avalanche
Ryan Getzlaf: Anaheim Ducks
Chris Kunitz: Pittsburgh Penguins
Patrick Marleau: San Jose Sharks
Rick Nash: New York Rangers
Corey Perry: Anaheim Ducks
Patrick Sharp: Chicago Blackhawks
Steven Stamkos: Tampa Bay Lightning
John Tavares: New York Islanders
Jonathan Toews: Chicago Blackhawks
Avs Notes:
The Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Nate Guenin to a two-year extension Tuesday morning. Here is more from Adrian Dater of The Denver Post:
"The Avalanche announced Tuesday the team has signed defenseman Nate Guenin to a two-year contract extension through the 2015-16 season. His salary next season will be $750,000, and $850,000 the one after that. He is making $600,000 this season, and could have become an unrestricted free agent."
Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O’Reilly is day-to-day after suffering an injury on the goal of center Paul Stastny. Here is more from Adrian Dater of The Denver Post:
"O’Reilly hurt his left shoulder while celebrating the Avs’ third goal, by Paul Stastny. Essentially, he got it jammed while extending his left arm into the group hug. The Avs say he is day-to-day, so we’ll see tomorrow if he plays or not against Ottawa"