Matt Duchene Is a Perfect Fit for the Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins need a new third-line center and Matt Duchene is about to hit the open market.
One of the biggest questions surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins this offseason is who can take over as third-line center?
Heading into free agency, the Penguins carry Jeff Carter, Mikael Granlund, and Ryan Poehling as possible options for the third-line center roles, but none of them stand out as legitimate players for that specific role.
Obvious decline in play from Carter and Granlund aside, all three would be better suited on a wing or the fourth-line.
The Penguins need someone different to center one of the lowest points of the Penguins’ offense in 2022-23.
Could that be where an unexpected free agent slots in? The Nashville Predators shockingly decided they will buyout veteran center Matt Duchene.
At 32-years-old, Duchene might be a tad older than hoped for, but he is still a solid producer in that exact position.
As a third-line center, Duchene would bring a boost of offense right away for the Penguins’ depth.
In 71 games last season, Duchene recorded 56 points and isn’t far removed from a 43-goal campaign in 2021-22.
Finding that kind of rhythm again would do the Penguins depth wonders and fill out what their lineup at the center position.
Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Duchene, Carter down the center with Granlund (if he sticks around) and Poehling on wings sounds vastly improved over last season.
The only thing that might stand in the way is the kind of contract Duchene is looking for; at 32, he likely won’t want to take a cheap one-year deal to prove what he has left.
He’ll probably want to sign with a contender that can give him job security as he approaches the final years of his career.
Duchene is coming off of a contract that earned him $8 million against the salary cap and a new deal likely won’t go anywhere near that number.
If the Penguins can get Duchene at an affordable price, this is a perfect option for third-line center.
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