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Ottawa Senators: Thank You, Matt Duchene

By Hunter Eitel

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 09: Ottawa Senators Center Matt Duchene (95) salutes the crowd during three star selections after National Hockey League action between the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators on February 9, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 09: Ottawa Senators Center Matt Duchene (95) salutes the crowd during three star selections after National Hockey League action between the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators on February 9, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Despite playing in only 118 games for the Ottawa Senators, Matt Duchene left an impact.

In case you haven’t heard, the Ottawa Senators traded Matt Duchene to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It was a move that has been rumored for a long time, especially with the Sens unable to get Duchene to sign an extension earlier this month, but it still stings nonetheless. Duchene was supposed to be a key piece in Ottawa for years to come, but the downward spiral the team has experienced likely dampened any thoughts he may have had about re-signing.

But even if his time with the Senators was brief, Duchene still played his heart out for the Sens, and we should all be appreciative of what he brought to the team.

Thank You, Matt

Even in just 118 games, Duchene became a critical piece of the Senators’ offense. In 68 games for last year, he had 23 goals and 26 assists while this year he has 27 goals and 31 assists in 50 games. Duchene averaged 0.91 points per game on a team that will finish in the bottom-five of the league in both of his seasons. That kind of production is as impressive as it is admirable.

May Not Be Goodbye

There are still possibilities that Duchene doesn’t sign an extension in Columbus and re-signs with the Ottawa Senators in the summer. But let’s be honest, that probably isn’t going to happen. Knowing how the Sens are going to handle this rebuild financially, it is unlikely that they would want to shell out more money on a free-agent Duchene who is fielding offers from around the NHL.

All The Best

I guess the pain of seeing Duchene be traded is more from a “what could have been” point of view. The Sens traded everything plus the kitchen sink to acquire his services, he was supposed to be a face of the franchise going forward. Now, he has been traded less than two years after he arrived. It is completely understandable why he wouldn’t re-sign, but it still would have been nice to see him continue his career in a Senators uniform.

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Take care, Matt. The fans of the Ottawa Senators thank you for everything and hope you continue to find success wherever you go.

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