In 2019, Matt Duchene met with only two teams: the Nashville Predators and the Montreal Canadiens. In the end, he chose Nashville, but could the story be different this time?

On paper, the fit would be perfect. The Habs need a center with the arrival of Ivan Demidov.

Duchene has already sent a clear message about his interest in playing for the Montreal Canadiens.

With the salary cap rising to $95.5 million and several contracts coming off the books (plus some retained salary ending), Kent Hughes will have the means to spend this summer.

However, there’s a small catch.

The Montreal Canadiens and Kent Hughes have reportedly already made their decision about Matt Duchene

According to Renaud Lavoie, Duchene is not a priority for the Habs.

Management is targeting other players first, even though Lavoie personally believes Duchene would be a perfect fit.

Why?

Maybe the Canadiens prefer a younger player or a long-term option.

Even though Duchene is still performing well, he’s nearing the end of his career, and the Canadiens may not want to repeat the mistake of 2019, when Duchene used Montreal as leverage to get more money elsewhere.

 

Duchene genuinely loves the Habs, and no one doubts that. But in 2019, he wanted to settle in Nashville to finish his career.

If Montreal makes him an offer, will he seriously consider it or just use it to negotiate elsewhere?

Anyway, we’ll see on July 1, but to be honest, I wouldn’t count on it if I were in the shoes of the Montreal Canadiens’ management.

At 34 years old, Matt Duchene has a very solid 69 points in 68 games this season, including 26 goals, and is an ideal second-line center for the Dallas Stars, who are Stanley Cup contenders.