Gold is a good color for Matt Duchene. He proved as much in September's World Cup of Hockey, and at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
In keeping with that trend, maybe the 26-year-old should be draped in those colors full time as a member of the Nashville Predators.
Duchene's name continues to be thrown around in trade rumors, and he said he's open to the idea of joining a new club. The number of teams that have inquired about him is reportedly extremely high.
The Anaheim Ducks and New York Islanders have been discussed as potential destinations for the former third overall pick, but it's the Predators that make the most sense. Here are a few reasons why:
Lineup fit
Sure, the Ducks and Islanders could use the services Duchene can provide as a dependable offensive center, but the fact is he can't just slot right into either team's top six that easily.
Moving Duchene into the Ducks' lineup means one of Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, and Duchene would be either playing on the third line, or forced to play the wing.
Duchene has experience on the wing, where he played as a member of Team Canada at the World Cup. The biggest difference there - and why that ultimately worked - was the ridiculous talent that Canada has. It makes sense when the world's elite are involved, and when the team is made up almost entirely of centermen.
It could work in the short term for a playoff run, but given Duchene's contract carries an extra two years, that's a long-term commitment.
A similar conundrum exists with the Islanders. Sure, Brock Nelson would certainly get pushed down from the second line in favor of Duchene, but considering Nelson has posted nearly identical numbers to Duchene this year, you could be messing with his potential success.
The Predators, on the other hand, have the luxury in that after Ryan Johansen, each center could slot down one spot. Plus, the thought of James Neal on Duchene's wing is intriguing, and could provide the team with a potentially lethal second line.
Predators expansion preparation
Acquiring Duchene could also help the Predators fix their expansion protection problem.
As it stands, the team is likely to go with the second protection option, wherein the club will elect to protect eight skaters (forwards or defensemem) and a goalie over the potential to save seven forwards, three defensemen, and a goalie.
This is because the Predators have one of the strongest quartets of defensemen in the league, and they would be silly not to try to hold on to it.
Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, Mattias Ekholm, and Ryan Ellis are about as mobile a unit as any team could want, but a deal for Duchene would could see one of these four go.
It would likely be either Ekholm or Ellis, and, while it hurts, the fact is it comes in the form of Duchene, and gives the team the ability to in turn save three extra forwards. It's a blessing in disguise, especially with the club boasting many young, budding forwards, such as Austin Watson, Jarnkrok, Craig Smith, and Colin Wilson.
Goals wanted
The Predators hold the third playoff spot in the Central Division, but it's far from cemented, with Winnipeg just four points behind.
With that in mind - along with the fact the team will need to compete with the offensive juggernauts of the West in Chicago and Minnesota - the Predators need to keep pace, and Duchene can help them do that.
The Predators sit in the middle of the pack with 2.76 goals per game and the 15th-ranked power play. The team does muster the seventh-most shots, though, so they could simply need a finisher, and Duchene could help in that department.
There are still many clubs throwing their hat into the Matt Duchene sweepstakes, but the Predators are the best fit.
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