Weekend Brunch: Colorado Avalanche still looking to move Matt Duchene

The Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche are still looking to move Matt Duchene but apparently haven’t gotten very far. “Playoff contenders like the Nashville Predators were reported to be after Duchene's services around the time free agency kicked off early in July, and that was after other teams (see: Chicago Blackhawks) already wrapped up blockbuster deals of their own. Then, with the top crop of veterans off the market, reports surfaced that Colorado's asking price for the 26-year-old Duchene was "definitely the holdup" in trade talks, with the Avalanche apparently seeking multiple first-round draft picks in return.” [CBS Sports]

Get to know Erik Johnson with this great series by GrinWithGuilt. “One of Erik’s very best traits is how supportive he is. He frequently refers to his teammates as either his ‘man’ or his ‘boy.’ Look at him congratulating his friends on gettin’ paid:” [Mile High Hockey]

The Game

If you haven’t been following r/hockey’s roast of every NHL team, you’re missing out. The Roast of the Tampa Bay Lightning was on Friday, Saturday was the Roast of the Winnipeg Jets, and Sunday will be the Roast of the Carolina Hurricanes. [Reddit]

Several prospects got signed today:

First overall pick Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils has signed a three year entry level contract (ELC). Hischier got the max in terms of salary and performance bonuses: "He's been everything I had hoped he would be; I know this isn't an evaluation but certainly his on-ice skill set is really fun to watch. He's a really respectful kid and the way he carries himself I think is really nice to see and he has interacted well with the younger players and the veterans that came in. That's his upbringing, but it's been a great learning week for him and it's been nice to see the type of person he is as well." - Ray Shero [NHL.com]

The Vegas Golden Knights have signed all three of their first round picks. Cody Glass (sixth overall), Nick Suzuki (13th overall), and Erik Brannstrom (15th overall) to matching $925,000 contracts, with only a slight difference in performance bonuses (you can find their specific numbers here). "Cody, Nick and Erik have demonstrated exceptional skill and hockey sense playing at their current levels. We will look for these players to continue to exhibit the hard work necessary to further their development and continue their positive career trajectories." - George McPhee [NHL.com]

The Knights weren’t done there, they also signed two of their expansion draft picks; Brendan Leipsic from Toronto, and Griffin Reinhart from Edmonton. Both contracts are for two years, Leipsic will be making $650,000 and Reinhart gets $800,000. Personally, I fully expect Leipsic to make the NHL roster in October, he was stellar in his Leafs debut and throughout the year with the Marlies. With the depth the Knights have on defense, it will be harder for Reinhart to make the starting lineup but he will get a shot at it in training camp. [NHL.com]

(Bonus points if you find my goof up in the replies)