Report: Blue Jackets interested in Duchene
It appears the Columbus Blue Jackets could be both sellers and buyers at the trade deadline.
As trade rumors regarding star forward Artemi Panarin swirl, Columbus has interest in Ottawa Senators center Matt Duchene, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Tuesday's edition of "Insider Trading."
Like Panarin, Duchene is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Panarin has already stated he wants to test free agency, but Duchene has not publicly expressed the same desire. If the Blue Jackets were to trade for Duchene, they would have four months to re-sign him before he hits the open market.
Along with youngster Pierre-Luc Dubois, Duchene would give Columbus a lethal one-two punch down the middle of the ice - something the franchise has never had in its existence.
Duchene is in the midst of a career year with the basement-dwelling Senators, collecting 25 goals and 53 points in 46 games.
The Blue Jackets entered Tuesday sitting third in the Metropolitan Division with 65 points.