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Leafs: 4 Reasons Matt Duchene is an Ideal Trade Target

By David Morassutti

Dec 20, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene (9) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Avalanche 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene (9) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Avalanche 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 24, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team Canada forward Matt Duchene (9) and forward Ryan O’Reilly (90) head up ice against Team Russia during a semifinal game in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Canada defeated Russia 5-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Familiarity with Mike Babcock

Duchene was a member of the 2014 Canadian Olympic team that won the Gold Medal at the Sochi Olympics and at the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. He played in four games at the Olympics and six times at the World Cup.

This is what Duchene had to say about Mike Babcock, who was team Canada’s head coach:

"Mike Babcock is a very intelligent, demanding coach in terms of what he wants. He wants crispness, he wants sharpness; he wants you to be really confident. The second you show a lack of confidence, I think he sees it. He’s a very smart guy."

This type of familiarity should give the Leafs an advantage, because Duchene knows what to expect from Babcock. Obviously he would still have to make adjustments if he were acquired by the Leafs, but the transition should not be difficult for him.

Next: Leafs Podcast - Marner's Injury, JVR's Value & More

It will be an interesting couple of weeks for the Leafs, with the team not in a desperate position to get better. If this deal gets made in the summer, which might lower the price, it would be a big time addition for the team, much like in the way Serge Ibaka to the Raptors will create more buzz for Toronto.

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