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Matt Duchene News & Rumors

Duchene, O'Reilly, Johnson and O'Brien want to return to Colorado Avalanche
April 9
Denver Post
 
"Their situations aren't the same, but collectively it's unanimous. Forwards Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly and defensemen Erik Johnson and Shane O'Brien want to remain with the Avalanche. They aren't under contract with the club for the 2012-13 season, but they figure to be priorities as the Avs enter the offseason with 14 of their top 22 players unsigned. "I can't stress it enough, the fact I want to (remain with the) Avalanche," Duchene said Saturday night after the Avs' season-ending 6-1 loss to the Nashville Predators at the Pepsi Center. "I grew up worshiping this team, and the guys that have their banners up in the rafters, they're my heroes. My No. 1 commitment is to raise a Stanley"
Avalanche's Matt Duchene learning to live, play with injuries
April 3
Denver Post
 columnist Adrian Dater
"His left knee has been encased in a metal brace for three months. His right ankle has been wrapped in copious amounts of tape for a few weeks. Avalanche forward Matt Duchene has done a good job of keeping that under wraps to the public, but it hasn't been easy. "I've become a way better pro this year. I think it's helped me be able to play in these circumstances, even though I probably shouldn't be. But it's been tough. I'm wearing things on my body I'm not used to," Duchene said Monday. "But I've learned about how to deal with the ups and downs of being a pro. I used to think any (setback) like this was the end of the world. Now I think it could be a blessing.""
Matt Duchene returning to Avs' lineup Thursday
March 14
Denver Post
 
"He was supposed to miss three to four weeks because of an ankle injury. But Matt Duchene will only end up having missed nine days when he returns to the Avalanche lineup Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils. That was the surprising news that came out of this morning's Avalanche skate-around at First Niagara Center, where the Avs will play the Buffalo Sabres tonight. Duchene, who suffered a right ankle injury March 6, skated with the team today and, though he won't play tonight, coach Joe Sacco said he was available to do so. Instead, Sacco said the team will give Duchene another day of rest before playing him against the Devils."
Can Colorado keep up without Matt Duchene?
March 9
Denver Post
 columnist Adrian Dater
"I always want to watch Matt Duchene. But in light of his injury -- again -- I have to ask: Are the Avs appreciably worse without him right now? I mean, it seems like when he was out the first time, they were the same inconsistent team when he was in. How is the team different with and without him, specifically? When Duchene went down again Tuesday, he was playing center. Before he got hurt the last time, he was playing winger. I think his loss as a winger is easier to withstand, but as a center it's tougher. Now, Mark Olver will probably have to go back to center -- and I think he was better as a winger. Look, Duchene is a talented guy and the Avs are a better team with him than without"
Avs' Matt Duchene out 3-4 weeks with ankle injury
March 8
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche forward Matt Duchene will miss 3-4 weeks with a right ankle injury, but the injury won't require surgery, Colorado coach Joe Sacco said Thursday. Duchene, 21, was hurt late in Colorado's 7-1 win over Minnesota on Tuesday. "I'm gonna work as hard as I possibly can to be back in an Avs jersey before the season is over," Duchene said on Twitter. "It kills me to be out again." It will be Duchene's second prolonged stint missing games because of an injury this season. He missed seven weeks after suffering a left knee injury on Dec. 29."
Matt Duchene injured in Colorado Avalanche's 7-1 win over Minnesota Wild
March 7
Denver Post
 
"As Avalanche coach Joe Sacco put it well after his team's 7-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild, Steve Downie — the Avs' revelatory new addition to the lineup — "unnerves" people. With biker-length hair, missing teeth and a scowl, Downie definitely looks like a guy you'd want to think twice about messing with. He's certainly tough, as he proved Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center in returning from a one-game absence after what appeared Saturday night to be a serious shoulder injury. Ignoring any pain he might have felt, Downie added three assists to Colorado's lopsided win, which unfortunately for the Avs didn't gain much of anything for them in the Western Conference standings."
Duchene goes down with ankle injury
March 7
Denver Post
 
"Just when Matt Duchene felt like he was getting his game back together, another injury struck Tuesday night. Three weeks after returning from a left knee injury, Duchene injured his right ankle in the third period of Colorado's 7-1 victory over Minnesota. Duchene needed help off the ice after going down after getting tripped up by the stick of Minnesota's Nick Palmieri. Avs coach Joe Sacco said Duchene would be re-evaluated today. Duchene was wheeled into the team's X-ray room after the game on a cart."
Avalanche's Matt Duchene upbeat about return from injury but needs more production
February 21
Denver Post
 
"In the otherwise funereal atmosphere of the Avalanche dressing room Sunday night, Matt Duchene briefly displayed an upward lilt to his tone when asked how he felt in his first game back after seven weeks on the injured list. "I felt really good. I might be actually in better shape now than when I left," the Avalanche forward said after Colorado's 5-1 loss to Winnipeg. Duchene, who suffered an injured left knee Dec. 29, played 18 minutes, 6 seconds in the game, skating at left wing on a line with Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk."
Duchene returns to Stastny-Hejduk line after seven weeks
February 19
Denver Post
 
"The Avalanche tonight will play its first game in this cold Canadian city for the first time since 1996, and Matt Duchene will be in the lineup. Against the new Winnipeg Jets franchise that moved back to the city last year after a 15-year absence from the NHL, the Avs will get their leading scorer from last season back from a seven-week absence because of a left knee injury suffered Dec. 29 against Phoenix. The Avs made the news official after Saturday's practice at the MTS Centre. Duchene will skate at left wing on a line with Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk. "Being out and not being able to contribute has been tough," Duchene said. "I'm looking forward to the game. It's an important time"
Duchene status now day to day
February 18
Denver Post
 
"Avs forward Matt Duchene had his status upgraded to day to day Friday, and he has a chance to return to the lineup Sunday at Winnipeg. The Avs have been without their leading scorer from last season since Dec. 29 because of a left knee injury. Duchene was slated to take part in a full practice with contact today in Winnipeg. "We'll see how he presents himself after, but he's made good progress and he's day to day," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. Sacco stressed that Duchene will not be rushed back, despite the Avs' status as a bubble team for the playoffs."
Avs' Matt Duchene returns to practice, will make roadtrip
February 14
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene returned to practice with the Avalanche today, albeit in an orange non-contact jersey. The Avalanche forward, out since Dec. 29 with a left knee injury, skated hard and didn't seem in pain at all during the hour-long practice. While it is unlikely he'll return to the lineup by the Avs' next game, Wednesday in Vancouver, Duchene will accompany the team on its three-game Canadian road swing. "He looked good out there. It's good to see him with a smile on his face, and hopefully he can be back with us real soon," Avs center Paul Stastny said."
Avs' Matt Duchene on ice again
February 9
Denver Post
 
"For a third consecutive day, Matt Duchene was on skates. While he did not display the kind of speed that has been his trademark quality as a player with the Avalanche, Duchene appears to be making progress to return to the team. Duchene skated for roughly a half hour at Family Sports Center, while the rest of the Avs had the day off. The third-year forward, who suffered a left knee injury Dec. 29, appeared to be favoring the left leg when he did some of his hardest skating. But there were no visible grimaces of pain. At one point Duchene got down on both knees while setting a net in place on the ice."
Duchene resumes skating
February 6
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene was back on skates today. Not with the team at practice, but on his own beforehand. I did not see him skate, but accounts are that it went well. He's still officially listed as out "indefinitely", but you have to believe we're probably talking only 1-2 more weeks at most if there was not a lot of pain today – and nobody has said there was. - Tyson Barrie will make his NHL debut tomorrow night. Don't know who among the defense will be scratched. Joe Sacco said he would decide that overnight."
Injured Matt Duchene might be weeks from returning to Avs
January 31
Denver Post
 
"The news wasn't great concerning injured Avalanche forward Matt Duchene today. While the rest of the Avs resumed practice at Family Sports Center following the NHL all-star break, Duchene was not among them, and it appears more a matter of weeks — not days — until he returns again. "Right now, he's still out indefinitely," Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said following practice. "Hopefully, he'll be on the ice sometime in the near future, but it's still indefinite and we'll see from there.""
Duchene out for at least four weeks with knee injury
December 31
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene will be out of the Avalanche lineup for at least the next four weeks, the team said Friday. But all is not lost for the season, his teammates say. While the Avs wouldn't further specify the type of knee injury suffered, there was cautious optimism expressed that it could be no worse than a sprain and won't require surgery. "You don't want to lose a guy like Dutchy, for sure. But we can all do a little more and still win games. I don't think anybody in this room doesn't believe that," Avs forward TJ Galiardi said. Galiardi will be perhaps the biggest key to whether the Avs sink or keep swimming without Duchene, who will miss at least a month with an injured left knee suffered"
Duchene's injury could be costly
December 30
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene? has never had a significant injury in his three-year NHL career, but that might have changed. Duchene, the top-line Avs forward with 12 goals and 24 points entering Thursday's game with Phoenix, sustained a right knee injury in the first period and did not return. Duchene was immediately listed as out for the rest of the night, and he limped off the ice. An MRI today will determine the extent of the injury. Going to check Phoenix's Rostislav Klesla? along the boards in the defensive zone, Duchene appeared to plant his right skate into the ice, and the knee didn't turn along with his body. Duchene has missed only three games in his career."
Injury to Duchene dampens Avalanche's victory over Coyotes
December 30
Denver Post
 
"In a game in which Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said the referees "had a tough night," the Avs overcame that and a couple of injuries to beat the Phoenix Coyotes 3-2 on Thursday night at the Pepsi Center. Though the Avs won for the ninth time in 10 games at home and tied the franchise mark for most victories in December (eight), it did not come without cost. The mood darkened throughout the building when young Avs forward Matt Duchene? left the game in the first period with a knee injury. He appeared to get his right skate caught in a rut while making a hit and injured his right knee. He did not finish the game, and the team said he will be "re-evaluated" today. Asked if the injury might be"
Avs star learning from master Iginla
November 13
Calgary Sun
 
"Matt Duchene had a simple reason for remaining calm through his early season struggles. The Colorado Avalanche rising star had been through it a year ago. Not only did Duchene pull out of his slump to kick off the 2010-11 season — as he's done this year — but he learned something valuable at that time thanks to Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla. When last season was nearing the quarter pole, Duchene was struggling in the goal-scoring department, with just two tallies in the first 18 games. Near the end of his slump, he and the Avalanche were facing the Flames, and he spotted how Iginla was in a similar situation. "I don't pay a ton of attention to stats, but I'd heard about Jarome,"
Duchene's goal decisive as Avalanche finally wins at home
October 31
Denver Post
 
"Ah, some balance. The ice is no longer tilted. The discrepancy isn't so obvious. With the NHL's best road record (6-1) but the only team to have failed to produce a point at home, the Avalanche made some amends Sunday night with a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at the Pepsi Center. "I think the guys can maybe breathe a little bit easier now," Avs coach Joe Sacco said after his road-warrior team improved to 1-3 at home. Struggling young forward Matt Duchene was the hero in a game in which Colorado produced only 16 shots but never trailed. Duchene's wrister through the legs of Kings defenseman Drew Doughty? and over the shoulder of goalie Jonathan Quick 1:52 into the third period"
Matt Duchene, coach Joe Sacco are Avalanche's odd couple
October 30
Denver Post
 columnist Mark Kiszla
"The Avalanche can't figure out what to do with center Matt Duchene?, whose star has lost a little luster at the tender age of 20, when his impatience for success has collided with coach Joe Sacco's frustration. It's not pretty. "I try to skip to step 10 before I start step one. I miss some of the little things along the way," Duchene said Saturday. "I've always been someone who has wanted to run before I could walk." With a single goal and four assists in 10 games of this young NHL season, Duchene has not been strong enough on both ends of the rink to earn the complete trust of Sacco. Here's one number that doesn't lie: Averaging less ice time than Paul Stastny and Ryan O'Reilly, Duchene"
Avs' Matt Duchene skating with new linemates
October 26
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene is off the fourth line. The Avalanche's young center, demoted to the fourth line for Saturday's game against Chicago, skated with new linemates at practice this morning — Chuck Kobasew and Joakim Lindstrom. Duchene, with one goal and four points through his first eight games, told The Denver Post in today's editions, "I've been notorious for slow starts, and I've tried everything to avoid that, but all I can continue to do is work hard.""
Capt. Duchene a good restart
April 10
Denver Post
 columnist Terry Frei
"Last week, I discussed how Kroenke Sports Enterprises' major Avalanche-related challenge in the offseason is to prove that the hockey team won't remain an afterthought in the family sports portfolio. Beyond the apparent "givens" that Greg Sherman will remain as general manager and Joe Sacco will return as coach, here are a few things the hockey franchise itself should do between now and the opening of training camp in September: • Name Matt Duchene captain. Yes, that might be perceived as a slight of Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk. Duchene is only 20 and still looks and sometimes sounds like it. Yet this team needs to underscore its youth and rebuilding mode, and while cases can be made for"
Duchene aims to battle out of losing ways
March 8
Denver Post
 
"If the Avalanche didn't perform as poorly as it did in the final weeks of the 2008-09 season, Matt Duchene would not have been standing by a locker stall at the Family Sports Center on Monday. A 28th overall finish gave the Avs the third pick in the 2009 NHL draft, which they used to take the player who led all rookies in scoring his first season. If the season had ended Monday, the Avs would have chosen fourth in the upcoming draft. While many fans might wish the Avs would move even higher in the draft when the final 17 games are finished, Duchene wants to disappoint them. "We're not trying to tank to get a top-five pick," Duchene said. "We already have a lot of great prospects in the"
Foote ponders career end while Duchene looks to end slump
February 25
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene, the 20-year-old center, lives with Adam Foote, the 39-year-old veteran defenseman and Avalanche captain, and Foote's family. In theory, if Duchene is late for a team bus, the captain could ground him. The Avalanche's latest struggles — they've gone 2-12-1 in their past 15 games — and a flurry of trade activity and uncertainty are coming in the twilight of Foote's career, the outset of Duchene's. So their perspectives are different. "It's a tough time," Foote said after taking part in the first 40 minutes of the Avalanche's Thursday practice at Family Sports Center. "You just have to deal with it, move on, try to stay positive and keep fighting. That's what we're going to keep"
Avs' Matt Duchene out indefinitely with injured hand
February 17
Denver Post
 
"Center Matt Duchene and defenseman John-Michael Liles are the only Avalanche players who have managed to play in every game this season. After tonight, there will be just one. Duchene, who leads the team with 21 goals and 47 points, will miss tonight's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Pepsi Center as Colorado tries to snap a record eight-game losing streak. Duchene injured his hand in Monday's 9-1 loss to the Calgary Flames. The team said he will be out indefinitely. The Avs, who have lost 280 man-games to injury — highest in the Western Conference and third most in the NHL — declined to say if Duchene's hand is bruised, broken or sprained. "It has an impact on our club, there's"
Matt Duchene out indefinitely, will miss tonight vs. Penguins
February 16
Denver Post
 
"Center Matt Duchene and defenseman John-Michael Liles are the only Avalanche players who have managed to play in every game this season. After tonight, there will be just one. Duchene, who leads the team with 21 goals and 47 points, will miss tonight's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Pepsi Center as Colorado tries to snap a record eight-game losing streak. Duchene injured his hand in Monday's 9-1 loss to the Calgary Flames. The team said he will be out indefinitely. The Avs, who have lost 280 man-games to injury — highest in the Western Conference and third most in the NHL — declined to say if Duchene's hand is bruised, broken or sprained. "It has an impact on our club, there's"
Stastny, Duchene display star power in hockey All-Star game
January 31
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche center Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist for the losing Team Staal on Sunday at the NHL All-Star Game, while Colorado teammate Matt Duchene had a goal for the winning Team Lidstrom. Also in Team Lidstrom's 11-10 victory, Duchene took the first penalty shot in All-Star Game history in the third period after Washington's Alex Ovechkin playfully slid his stick at the puck on a Duchene breakaway. On the penalty shot, Du- chene went to his backhand as he cut to his right and past goalie Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers, but Lund- qvist made the save. "He's a huge goalie, so I probably should have just tried to bury it five-hole," Duchene said. "I was trying something"
"Brutal" day at practice fine with Duchene
January 17
Denver Post
 
"Second-year center Matt Duchene spent part of his 20th birthday Sunday participating in what he said was the toughest Avalanche practice of the season, and possibly of his NHL career. "Brutal," Duchene half-jokingly said about how he was spending his birthday. "But we had (Saturday) off, so you got a good sweat in." Ryan O'Reilly would have loved it. The team's youngest player and biggest rink rat — who is typically the last player off the ice and is often found shooting pucks after his teammates have showered, socialized and left the rink — missed his first practice of the season and is out at least two weeks with a shoulder injury. O'Reilly, Duchene and defenseman John-Michael Liles are"
Shutout "tough one" to take
January 13
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene sat staring down at the carpet of the visiting team's dressing room at the United Center on Wednesday night, well after the Avalanche's 4-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Two days after a three-point game against Detroit and being selected for the NHL All-Star Game, Duchene was just another guy in a dressing room full of disconsolate players. "It's a tough one tonight," Duchene said. "They did a good job. They played their game to a 't' and we just weren't quite there tonight." Duchene, a minus-1 with four shots on net, nearly put a couple of them in during the first two periods. "If we put one of those in, it might have been a different game, but they just did a good job in"
Avs' young Matt Duchene has Star power
January 12
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene professed to be surprised — at least by the timing. "I didn't know they were naming it today, so it was a great surprise to come into this morning," the Avalanche second-year center said Tuesday after getting word that he was selected for the Jan. 30 NHL All-Star Game at the Carolina Hurricanes' RBC Center at Raleigh, N.C. Duchene, who turns 20 on Sunday, leads the Avalanche in scoring, with 43 points, on a team-high 18 goals and 25 assists. He had acknowledged making the All-Star Game was one of his goals this season. "It's a great honor, and it's always nice to meet your goals," he said."
Duchene named to NHL All-Star Game
January 11
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene and Kevin Shattenkirk are going to Raleigh, N.C. That's where the NHL's All-Star Game will be played later this month, and this morning the two Avalanche youngsters were named to participate in the festivities. In a new wrinkle this year, the league did away with the traditional conference vs. conference format and will have two as-yet-to-be-named captains draft their own teams among the players. That draft will be held Jan. 28, with the game on Jan. 30 at the RBC Center. Each captain will be required to select three goalies, six defensemen and 12 forwards in any order they choose. Duchene, who turns 20 on Sunday, leads the Avalanche with 43 points in 43 games. Shattenkirk,"
Duchene leads Avalanche in 5-4 defeat of Red Wings
January 11
Denver Post
 
"The NHL's hockey operations department likely already had made its decisions by Monday night, but Avalanche second-year center Matt Duchene showed why he's a prime candidate to be named to the All-Star Game today. Duchene had two goals and an assist Monday as the Avalanche — which led 4-1 barely 14 minutes into the game — held on to beat Detroit 5-4 at the Pepsi Center. Paul Stastny, Michigan native Kevin Porter and David Jones also scored for the Avs, who snapped a losing streak at two games, won in regulation for the first time since Dec. 19, and wound up 2-2-1 in its first of two five-game homestands in January. "Obviously, it would be a tremendous honor, and it was kind of a goal of"
Duchene, Tavares prepare for next faceoff
January 7
Denver Post
 
"The 2009 NHL draft set up a windfall of talent not seen in a pro pick 'em since LeBron James, Darko Milicic and Carmelo Anthony went 1-2-3 in the 2003 NBA version. And, after Milicic became one of the biggest busts in draft history, everybody wondered whether any of the top three from the NHL's '09 draft would flail into obscurity. And who would be king? Top dog John Tavares? Second pick Victor Hedman? No. 3 Matt Duchene? One-plus season later, the A-grade has to go to the Avalanche. Its pick of Duchene netted one of the more explosive players in the league. But Saturday should provide hockey fans further evidence in the comparison. John Tavares and the Islanders come to Denver for an"
Duchene, Fleischmann take top two spots in weekly NHL honor
December 20
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche linemates Matt Duchene and Tomas Fleischmann were named the NHL's first and second stars of the week, respectively, this morning. Both Duchene and Fleischmann had four goals and three assists last week — tops in the league over that span. Duchene had two game-winning goals in the week, while Fleischmann helped the Avs to a midweek sweep of Chicago, including a third-period hat trick in Colorado's 4-3 win last Wednesday. In the nine games since he was acquired from Washington, Fleischmann has five goals and six assists."
Duchene gives a tweet about team
December 9
Denver Post
 
"Most celebrities start a personal Twitter account to boost their own personal "brand." But Matt Duchene says he joined the ubiquitous social media network last week to give the Avalanche a hand at the box office. The Avs have been a winning team for more than a year now, with some of the NHL's better young, blossoming talent. Yet, the team remains mired in 26th place in home attendance, and the empty seats at the Pepsi Center have become noticeable to the players. So the 19-year-old second-year center wants to do something about it, starting with making his personal life and observations more open to the public. On a team notorious for its "no individuals, only team" approach to marketing,"
Duchene, Foote set for Avs vs. Canucks on Wednesday
November 24
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene and Adam Foote, who hadn't practiced Monday as they took what were termed "maintenance days," were back on the ice with the Avalanche today at Family Sports Center and definitely will be available for Wednesday night's game at Vancouver. The meeting in Rogers Arena potentially can involve a four-point swing, since the Avalanche goes in with a two-game lead on the Canucks atop the Northwest Division standings. Colorado will play three intra-divisional games in four nights — at Vancouver, at Edmonton Thursday and at home against Minnesota Saturday. The Canucks didn't take advantage of a chance to pull back into a tie with the Avalanche when they lost 3-2 to Phoenix at home"
Duchene misses practice, but will play today
November 6
Denver Post
 
"A day after a public scolding on and off the ice for his play, Avalanche center Matt Duchene was absent from the practice ice Friday. Calling it a "maintenance day" for the 19-year-old forward, Avs coach Joe Sacco said Duchene should be in the lineup tonight against the Dallas Stars at the Pepsi Center. And, he also said he is confident Duchene and the team will bounce back from one of the team's worst performances in Sacco's tenure. "Matt's a very, very young player for us and he's trying to improve his game just like everybody else," Sacco said. "He's going to be fine." Duchene, who was benched the final 14 minutes of the second period Thursday against Vancouver, was spotted entering"
Avs' Duchene moves into doghouse
November 5
Denver Post
 columnist Mark Kiszla
"Teenager Matt Duchene suffered the one punishment every adolescent dreads Thursday, when Avalanche coach Joe Sacco grounded his 19-year-old center during a lackluster 3-1 loss to Vancouver. Worse than having the keys to his car taken away, Duchene was sent to a better-choices chair on the Colorado bench during an awkwardly long stretch of the second period. "The message was: Listen, I'm going to play the guys that I think give us the best chance to win during the course of a game. And I felt at that time, he wasn't one of those players," said Sacco, bluntly criticizing Duchene. "That's why he wasn't playing at the time. He's got to look after the puck better than he has, especially coming"
Duchene, Hejduk ready to go against Blackhawks
October 7
Denver Post
 
"Second-year Avalanche center Matt Duchene returned to practice today and said he should be close to 100 percent for Thursday night's season opener against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. Duchene, who centers a line with Milan Hejduk and David Jones, missed Tuesday's practice because of an illness. "I just had the 12- or 24-hour flu," Duchene said. "I feel better now. I'm ready to go." Hejduk, who didn't skate last week because of a sore back, participated in his second consecutive practice, but this time without an orange no-contact sweater. "I'm fine," Hejduk said. Colorado coach Joe Sacco put his squad through a fast-paced 90-minute workout. He said it was good to end it with Duchene"
Avalanche's Duchene third in rookie-of-year voting
June 24
Denver Post
 
"Hanging by a pool at the Palms Hotel, signing autographs and walking a red carpet surrounded by stars and starlets? Just another day in the life of Matt Duchene on Wednesday. Winning a Calder Trophy would have been a perfect capper to the day, but movie star Mark Wahlberg called a different name instead after opening the envelope to announce the NHL's rookie of the year here. Buffalo defenseman Tyler Myers won it, with Duchene finishing third in the voting, right behind Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard. The Avalanche center is a hyper-competitive, voraciously ambitious 19-year-old. Not winning the Calder is a goal that went unfulfilled. But there was still a smile on his sunburned face, partly"
Avalanche's Duchene takes one for the team
April 24
Denver Post
 
"For the Avalanche and especially rookie Matt Duchene, the most frustrating aspect of Thursday's 5-0 beatdown at San Jose was the team's inability to draw penalties. The Sharks didn't have to defend an Avs power play until early in the third period, and in the series, San Jose is averaging only 7.6 penalty minutes and allowing only 2.6 power plays - both lowest in the playoffs. "The obvious (non-)calls don't help, but overall, they aren't going our way," Duchene said. "Whether it's us not doing enough to get the calls or whatever, we're not getting them, and that's the bottom line. We have to fight through it or do something to get the calls." Colorado finally unleashed its power play 22"
Myers, Duchene, Howard named Calder finalists
April 23
NHL.com
 
"he three finalists for the 2009-10 Calder Memorial Trophy for top rookie are Tyler Myers of Buffalo, Matt Duchene of Colorado, and Jimmy Howard of Detroit. The winner is selected in a poll by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season. To be eligible for the Calder, a player cannot have played more than 25 games in any single preceding season nor in six or more games in each of any two preceding seasons in any major professional league. Also, a player must not have attained his 26th birthday by Sept. 15th of the season in which he is eligible. The winner of the trophy will be announced at the 2010 NHL Awards, to be held in Las Vegas on June 23. The"
Duchene shows no fear of Sharks, pressure
April 15
Denver Post
 columnist Mark Kiszla
"How to describe the thin line and undeniable difference between athletes at the 99.8 and 99.9 percentile of any given sport? Maybe it's as subtle as the sly smile worn by Avalanche wonder kid Matt Duchene after making his first big splash in the NHL playoffs. He swam with the San Jose Sharks and came out without a scratch. Get used to it. Because however you quantify that ineffable wow that makes a player a champion, Duchene has it. And San Jose does not. "You live for this. This is why you play hockey. To come out with Stanley Cup playoffs written on the ice and hearing the crowd go crazy," Duchene said after Colorado's 2-1 victory Wednesday night in Game 1 of the series against the"
Duchene ready to go
April 14
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene is a confident kid, even a bit cocky at times. He's also a person who always tries to see the positive in everything. Friday night, however, Duchene feared the worst during a ride to the hospital to have his injured torso checked out. "We thought it was pretty serious. I was pretty freaked out," Duchene said. The Avs rookie was back to his exuberant self Tuesday after participating in a full practice with the Avalanche on the eve of his first playoff game. Duchene is expected to play tonight in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against San Jose, centering the second line with Brandon Yip and Milan Hejduk. "I was pretty happy when the results came back negative,""
Duchene skates, may play Wednesday
April 13
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche rookie center Matt Duchene participated in shooting and skating drills Monday, a good sign the Calder Trophy candidate will be available Wednesday night when Colorado opens the Western Conference playoffs at San Jose. "He responded well after his skate, and he will practice with us (today); he'll be available for a full practice, and right now I'm hopeful that he'll be available for Wednesday night," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. Duchene, who suffered a torso injury last Wednesday at Edmonton, was hospitalized Friday after briefly playing against Chicago at the Pepsi Center. He missed Sunday's regular-season finale against Los Angeles."
Avs' Duchene skates, might play Wednesday
April 12
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche rookie center Matt Duchene participated in light drills today, a good sign he will be available Wednesday when the Avalanche opens the playoffs at San Jose. Duchene, who sustained what the team is calling a torso injury last Wednesday at Edmonton, was hospitalized last Friday after briefly playing against Chicago at the Pepsi Center. He missed Sunday's regular-season finale against Los Angeles. Duchene was equipped with what appeared to be an extra chest pad, worn over his regular chest/shoulder pads. The extra flap covered his sternum."
Avalanche's Duchene could return for playoffs
April 11
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche rookie center Matt Duchene, who was hospitalized after briefly playing in Friday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks, is listed as day to day with a lingering torso injury, Colorado coach Joe Sacco said Saturday. Duchene, who originally suffered the injury Wednesday at Edmonton, is doubtful for today's regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Kings. But the rookie-of-the-year candidate could return to the lineup when the playoffs begin Wednesday or Thursday. "It happened in the Edmonton game, and kind of flared up again (Friday) night," Sacco said of the injury. "He did go to the hospital for precautionary measures and stayed overnight. He was discharged this morning.""
Sacco says Avalanche's Matt Duchene "day-to-day" with torso injury
April 11
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche rookie Matt Duchene, who was hospitalized after briefly playing in Friday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks, is "day-to-day" with a lingering torso injury, Colorado coach Joe Sacco said today. Duchene, who originally sustained the injury last Wednesday at Edmonton, is doubtful for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Kings. But the leading candidate to win the NHL's rookie-of-the-year award could return to the lineup when the playoffs begin Wednesday or Thursday. "It happened in the Edmonton game, and kind of flared up again (Friday) night," Sacco said of the injury. "He did go to the hospital for precautionary measures and stayed overnight. He was"
Duchene gets hurt as Avalanche loses to Blackhawks
April 10
Denver Post
 
"Fear became reality Friday night for the Avalanche with the loss of second-line center and NHL rookie of the year candidate Matt Duchene. The Avs' 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pepsi Center was a distant second in the night's order of disappointing results. The Avs, who listed Duchene's condition as a torso injury, initially gave no further update on his condition after the game, but NHL sources said he was taken to a hospital while the game was still in progress. The Avs later confirmed Duchene went to the hospital for further tests but didn't provide any results. Duchene, the rookie scoring leader, hasn't missed a game this season. Duchene has 24 goals and 31 assists for"