It looks like the first shoe has dropped in Ottawa.
According to multiple reports, Matt Duchene has been traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. That’s the team the Senators play tonight, by the way.
Details on exactly what the Senators are getting in return are still being sorted out. Vitaly Abramov is among the prospects potentially heading to Ottawa in the deal. Jonathan Davidsson is also believed to part of the return.
The Senators are also sending Julius Bergman, who is likely headed to Europe next season anyway, to Columbus in the deal.
I believe it’s a first rounder, Abramov and Davidsson for Duchene and Bergman plus a conditional first to OTT if Duchene signs in CBJ.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 22, 2019
The first RD pick is 2019. The conditional 1st RD pick is 2020 https://t.co/21rBoQ6Yni
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 22, 2019
The 2019 first round pick in the Duchene deal is lottery protected only if it’s a top 3 pick
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 22, 2019
From the team’s official release, here’s how the conditions work on the trade.
Should the draft lottery render the 2019 first-round selection a top-three pick, the Senators will receive Columbus’ 2020 first-round selection instead.
If Duchene signs a 2019-20 contract with the Blue Jackets, Ottawa will receive Columbus’ 2020 first-round pick. (If the 2019 pick moves to 2020 as a result of the lottery and Duchene signs with Columbus, the 2020 conditional pick would then move to 2021).
While Duchene performed well during his brief stint in Ottawa, his Sens career will always be remembered as the point where things really went sideways for this organization. Not because of Matt Duchene of course but from the moment he was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche, this team has been in a complete tailspin.
Duchene, who is scheduled to be a UFA this summer, has apparently indicated that he has no interest in discussing a contract extension with the Blue Jackets just yet. Makes this a straight rental deal for the time being.
Duchene is expected to be in the line up for Columbus tonight.
