The more I think about it, the more I think that the Flames should consider moving Backlund in a package to acquire Duchene, but it creates its own set of problems.
Backlund: Age 28, #24 overall pick, 6' 1" 199 pounds, 50 point #2C.
Duchene: Age 26, #3 overall pick, 5' 11" 200 pounds, 60 point #2C/#1W
You would have to sort through a lot of team-related issues/strategy. Backlund seems to be a core part of this team - what about the chemistry that he has built within the team? He's amazing in his own zone - will Duchene be able to take that kind of workload? Who will?
This is where I wish Bennett had shown more in terms of development and ability to take over the #2C role.
I would have envisioned a roster like this:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Duchene
Tkachuk-Bennett-Ferland
Versteeg-Jankowski-Frolik
Lazar-Stajan-Brouwer
Also, I'm not entirely sure that the Avs would do a trade centered around Backlund as their ask has been high-level blue-chip prospects.
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