The only reasons why Avs fans wouldn't pull the trigger this trade are an strong sentimental attachment to Duchene and (maybe) contract concerns. Johnny Gaudreau is absolutely the better player. Duchene has made strides defensively, but he still ain't all that in his own end.
Nah...I'll take Duchene. I'll take the guy who can play center, very good on faceoffs, draws a ton of penalties and has already proven he can put up around 60-70 points on a regular basis. Oh and Duchene can also play wing and his 5 on 5 numbers are always near the top of the league + he makes a reasonable $6M for the next 3 years.
Why would the Avs want to trade a guy like that just so they could pay Gaudreau the amount he's seeking? How smart would it be for the Avs to trade another Center for a Winger when the center you DO have can play wing in a pinch??
What makes Gaudreau so much better? His career high last season as a 22 year old? The 78 points he put up in 79 games played last year? How is that NOT comparable to Duchene's 70 points in 71 games played 3 years ago as a 22 year old??
As far as being younger, Gaudreau is younger by 2 years...big deal. I'm not suggesting or trying to push this trade from a Calgary point of view, I'm just saying that I wouldn't do it from a Colorado point of view.
We already had one GIANT headache with a player wanting a ton of money with O'Reilly...there is no reason to acquire another. (I doubt very much that MacKinnon would have signed for $6.3M per year for 7 years if ROR has been on the team already earning $7.5M - now that's going to be the Sabres issue if Eichel puts up huge numbers).