Duchene visits Predators after meeting with Canadiens: report

Matt Duchene visited with the Nashville Predators on Thursday after meeting with the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, TSN reported.

Duchene, a 28-year-old forward, can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Players have been able to meet with other teams since Sunday.
"My intent as this point is to explore everything that could be out there," Duchene said May 8. "It's a big moment in my life, probably the biggest decision I'll ever have to make, definitely the biggest I made to this point. I'm definitely going to take my time and talk to my family and my representation and figure out what's best."

Duchene had 70 points (31 goals, 39 assists) in 73 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators this season, including 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 23 games after he was traded to Columbus on Feb. 22.
"I've really enjoyed my time here and we will definitely be talking to [general manager Jarmo Kekalainen] and the Blue Jackets and seeing what's in store," Duchene said. "I'm so happy to be a Blue Jacket. I'm very grateful to be here. Obviously, it will be a great thing if it can continue. We'll see what happens."
He had 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help the Blue Jackets sweep the Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference First Round to win a playoff series for the first time. Columbus lost to the Boston Bruins in six games in the second round.

Duchene was acquired by the Senators from the Colorado Avalanche as part of a three-team trade that included the Predators on Nov. 5, 2017. He had 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) in 68 games with the Senators in 2017-18.
Selected by Colorado in the first round (No. 3) of the 2009 NHL Draft, Duchene has 547 points (232 goals, 315 assists) in 727 NHL games and 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 18 playoff games.

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