The Avalanche veterans are scheduled to report for training camp Sept. 14, and there is growing speculation Duchene will not be among them. When asked by TSN on Tuesday if Duchene plans to report for Avalanche training camp, his agent, Pat Brisson, said, "All I want to say is, for the moment Matt is skating in Toronto."
But Duchene was in Vail, Colorado, over the weekend to attend a friend's wedding before heading back to Ontario, with most Avalanche veterans skating in informal practices in Colorado this week. MacKinnon said he has spoken to Duchene "a little bit" over the summer and expects him to be there with the rest of the Avalanche for training camp -- if he isn't traded before then.
"I do," MacKinnon said. "He's got two years left on his contract, so I assume he'll be at camp. I don't know. I don't know what's going on with that."
Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has similar sentiments after leading an informal practice of more than 20 players Tuesday.
"I talked a little bit with [Duchene]. He's not here, that's not a secret," Landeskog told the Denver Post. "But we'll have to wait and see. As of right now, he's part of the Avalanche organization and we all expect him to be here when training camp starts. I don't really know what else to tell you right now."
Duchene's 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists) in 77 games last season were the fewest in his NHL career after he scored a career-high 30 goals and had 59 points (29 assists) in 76 games in 2015-16. He would help any team in need of a second-line center and could possibly bring the Avalanche the help on defense Sakic has said they are seeking.
Or Duchene could remain with the Avalanche and the cloud of uncertainty hanging over him, and the team, could linger. So getting the situation settled before the season opens might be beneficial.
"Any of us can be traded, so it's not like it's a contract holdout," MacKinnon said. "So there's nothing to be settled. It's just if Joe wants to trade him. I hear all the same things you guys do. I don't have any scoops. [Duchene] is a great player and we'd love to have him back."