The Avalanche Ink Duchene Long Term

Thursday the Colorado Avalanche locked up young center Matt Duchene to a five-year $30 million dollar contract extension. The 22-year-old has 82 goals and 111 assists in 266 games with the Avalanche. With Nathan Mackinnon, Paul Stastny and Ryan O’Reilly the Avalanche will be one of the deepest teams at center this season.

Vice-president of hockey operations Joe Sakic said "We all felt that it was important for us to secure his rights for several seasons. With his great skills, speed and character, he represents the identity we want the Avalanche to be." Avalanche fans should expect to see Matt Duchene as a big part of the team's nucleus for the long term.