A very long interview with Duchene here. I picked out some quotes, but you guys can run it through Google Translate if you like.
Doesn't like the road in Sweden
"Road games are tough since the travelling schedule sucks compared to the NHL. But that was something that I was expecting; some trips can take up to seven hours and then you're playing right after that. I'm trying to adjust."
"I'm enjoying my time here. The team has been struggling to find consistency between games, but we've got another month to fix that (before contract is up)."
On the lockout
"The news have been positive the last few days, so there might be cause for optimism about getting a season going soon, hopefully within a few weeks. I'm really looking forward to putting on an NHL jersey again. Hopefully I'll be in shape by then."
On his line
"We (Duchene, Stalberg, Brunnstrom) have been together almost every game. We have some good chemistry, but me and Stalberg are practially at the end of pre-season, so we have a few things to work on still."
On the SEL
"Neither of us have played in the SEL before; we're still not used to the big ice surface. It's not easy coming to a new league. Everyone opponent is new to you, you have no idea how they're gonna play. Some teams are really hard to play against."
A very long interview with Duchene here. I picked out some quotes, but you guys can run it through Google Translate if you like.
Doesn't like the road in Sweden
"Road games are tough since the travelling schedule sucks compared to the NHL. But that was something that I was expecting; some trips can take up to seven hours and then you're playing right after that. I'm trying to adjust."
"I'm enjoying my time here. The team has been struggling to find consistency between games, but we've got another month to fix that (before contract is up)."
On the lockout
"The news have been positive the last few days, so there might be cause for optimism about getting a season going soon, hopefully within a few weeks. I'm really looking forward to putting on an NHL jersey again. Hopefully I'll be in shape by then."
On his line
"We (Duchene, Stalberg, Brunnstrom) have been together almost every game. We have some good chemistry, but me and Stalberg are practially at the end of pre-season, so we have a few things to work on still."
On the SEL
"Neither of us have played in the SEL before; we're still not used to the big ice surface. It's not easy coming to a new league. Everyone opponent is new to you, you have no idea how they're gonna play. Some teams are really hard to play against."
This guy is going to come back and explode. He's playing top level hockey and is staying in shape. Gaining confidence, and that will carry over to the nhl.
This guy is going to come back and explode. He's playing top level hockey and is staying in shape. Gaining confidence, and that will carry over to the nhl.
I'll quote this 10 games in. Duchene "is going to come back and explode".
With Stalberg now gone to the KHL, Duchene has a new linemate. Former Coyote, Ranger, Flame, and Leaf, Fredrik Sjostrom joins the top unit for Tuesday's home game versus Modo.
With Stalberg now gone to the KHL, Duchene has a new linemate. Former Coyote, Ranger, Flame, and Leaf, Fredrik Sjostrom joins the top unit for Tuesday's home game versus Modo.
Should be a good one! The Stalberg and Duchene line carried some good punch but it felt like Dutchy wasn't being fed pucks as much as he should be considering he works well with the extra ice and space.
For those that were heavy on the "puck-hog" criticisms, how's he doing?
A very long interview with Duchene here. I picked out some quotes, but you guys can run it through Google Translate if you like.
Doesn't like the road in Sweden
"Road games are tough since the travelling schedule sucks compared to the NHL. But that was something that I was expecting; some trips can take up to seven hours and then you're playing right after that. I'm trying to adjust."
"I'm enjoying my time here. The team has been struggling to find consistency between games, but we've got another month to fix that (before contract is up)."
On the lockout
"The news have been positive the last few days, so there might be cause for optimism about getting a season going soon, hopefully within a few weeks. I'm really looking forward to putting on an NHL jersey again. Hopefully I'll be in shape by then."
On his line
"We (Duchene, Stalberg, Brunnstrom) have been together almost every game. We have some good chemistry, but me and Stalberg are practially at the end of pre-season, so we have a few things to work on still."
On the SEL
"Neither of us have played in the SEL before; we're still not used to the big ice surface. It's not easy coming to a new league. Everyone opponent is new to you, you have no idea how they're gonna play. Some teams are really hard to play against."
2 weeks late reading this but still much appreciated!
Kind of an explosive story out of Sweden involving Avalanche refugee Matt Duchene. Sounds like the honeymoon has definitely worn off for the youngster on his team, Frolunda. After a 2-0 loss to Modo – Peter Forsberg’s old team – last night, Duchene let loose with some verbal fusillades against his team’s effort. While he did not single anybody out by name, Duchene out and out criticized the effort of some.
I have gotten a Google translation of his quotes from a story in the Swedish paper Aftonbladet. I have also gotten further verification of the quotes from journalists in Europe.
Here is some of what was reported to be what he said:
“Joel Lundqvist is a perfect example. He always works his ass off. Everyone should do that. But I’m not so sure everyone gets that. We just can´t play this bad. It is so poor. We were getting booed by our own fans, it’s unacceptable. They pay a lot of money to watch us and it’s not fair of us to play so bad,” said Duchene to hockeysverige.se.
“If this was in the NHL, five players would be sent down to the minors after a game like this. But here, players are too comfortable. There are 33 million Canadians that would sacrifice an arm to play hockey at this level.”
“We play good against the top teams, like HV71. This Monday we had a good practice. But on the morning skate before the game it wasn’t good. The guys weren’t ready. The intensity was missing. But this is your job. You have to work your ass off every day. You have to empty the tank. This is not a “Social hour”. You can’t just put your skates on and skate around. Everyone could have a bad game, but when you don’t prepare yourself for a game, when you don’t give it your very best…. If we play like this against a top team like Skellefte? we would be down 5-0 after the first period.”
At the end, the coach of the Frolunda, Kent Johansson, commented on Duchene´s quotes: “The biggest problem is that not everyone is contributing. Duchene didn’t do that either. You have to do your own job well before you criticize others. On the other hand, it’s good that we show that we don’t accept this performance,” he said to Swedish media.
Good times, sounds like.
Hat tip to Eurolanche.com chief David Puchovsky for referring me to this kerfuffle.
Duchene none too happy with his teammate's efforts. That is one thing about Matty. Even when he's not at his best and making questionable decisions, you can never doubt his effort level. It's good to see that he finds lazy play unacceptable.
I'd feel happier about those comments if the coach hadn't said "The biggest problem is that not everyone is contributing. Duchene didn’t do that either. You have to do your own job well before you criticize others."
__________________ “It’s embarrassing. I’m embarrassed to be here right now. It’s not even funny. And it’s just embarrassing, the way we, you know, the energy we have in the room and the way we approach practices and the way we approach this game. It’s not how you’re going to win any games in this league." - Jean-Sebastien Giguere, April 8 2013
I'd feel happier about those comments if the coach hadn't said "The biggest problem is that not everyone is contributing. Duchene didn’t do that either. You have to do your own job well before you criticize others."
That and he sounds more passionate about Frolunda than he ever did about the Avalanche.
I'd feel happier about those comments if the coach hadn't said "The biggest problem is that not everyone is contributing. Duchene didn’t do that either. You have to do your own job well before you criticize others."
Sounds like the coach giving him a 'shot back', since Duchene called out the fact that players were NOT prepared to play...doesn't reflect well on the coach either.
That and he sounds more passionate about Frolunda than he ever did about the Avalanche.
I think he's pretty stoked to come back. All I see when he tweets the other players on the team is that he ends with can't wait to see you back in Denver or something like that.
I'd feel happier about those comments if the coach hadn't said "The biggest problem is that not everyone is contributing. Duchene didn’t do that either. You have to do your own job well before you criticize others."
Well its tough to produce if your other teammates aren't giving solid effort. An individual can put in good effort and create a bunch of good chances but if the teammates aren't finishing then its tough to produce.
I've seen plenty of nights in the NHL where individuals played great games when the team did not play well. They might not have figured on the scoresheet but it doesn't mean they didn't play well.
Isn't his team the Avs he grew up with and Sakic his favourite player?
You've got it right buddy.
That's why that .gif is quite popular here...it's used as a reminder of how much Duchene wants to be a member of the Avalanche...he was so happy to not be picked 1st overall!
