Rumor: As many as 8 teams now in the mix for Duchene!

It seems more and more likely that forward Matt Duchene will not begin the regular as a member of the Colorado Avalanche as more than eight teams are in the mix to land the 26-year-old. 

TSN insider Darren Dreger was a guest on TSN 690 on Tuesday and the NHL insider hinted at the teams who are trying to acquire Duchene, though Avs GM Joe Sakic's price remains steep. 

“There’s still as many as eight teams in the mix. The Montreal Canadiens, I wouldn’t put them near the top of the list – they’re a team of interest. Marc Bergevin of course would have interest in Matt Duchene, that hasn’t changed. The problem that the Montreal Canadiens have is who on their defense are they willing to give up. They don’t have that right piece that is going to get a deal done or be part of a deal that gets done."

Dreger also noted that some teams who had turned their back on a potential deal might now be back in the mix. 

"The Nashville Predators, whatever player that was that Sakic asked for from Nashville, they didn’t like it and there wasn’t a willingness to negotiate off that. So Nashville backed off. Yet my understanding is Nashville might be back into the mix now."

The Columbus Blue Jackets were also known to have been pretty agressive in the Duchene's saga. The Carolina Hurricanes, who have depth on their blue line, have also reportedly investigated on the price of Duchene. 

"It seems like the Duchene saga is inching forward. But as Duchene said at least three times there, and the agent would echo it, they’re just looking at things now day by day.”