Awwwwk-waaaard: Matt Duchene appears to be with Avalanche in body only

Sixteen seconds. Sixteen very awkward seconds.

That’s all the time Matt Duchene had for the media assembled on hand Thursday morning, on the day the Avalanche’s veterans were due to report for training camp.

If any Avs fans that were hoping for a bunch of smiles and a “It’s great to be back, I never wanted to leave in the first place” set of statements from the Avs’ eight-year veteran, well, they didn’t get it. After a few other players had pleasant exchanges with the press, Duchene walked in, a somewhat grim look on his face and gave the following statement:

“Before we get started, I want to say that I won’t be answering any questions. I’m here to honor my contract. I’m here out of respect for the fans. I’m here for my teammates. I had a great summer of training and I’m in good physical condition. So, thanks so much and I’ll see you in the next couple of days, OK?”

With that, Duchene turned and walked back into the Avs’ inner sanctums of the dressing room.

Soooooooo….yeah, it’s going to be a little awkward around here it seems like, for as long as Duchene remains an Av. How long might that be? Only Joe Sakic and whatever other NHL GM he makes a trade with, if he makes a trade.

Earlier in the day, BSN Denver broke the news that Duchene was in Denver and would report to the Avs, ending any speculation that he might hold out until a trade happens. Duchene hadn’t taken part in any informal team activities to that point in the summer.

The Avs will begin camp on-ice activities Friday, and, presumably, Duchene will take part. But maybe nobody should assume anything anymore in this ever-expanding soap opera.

Other teammates, such as captain Gabe Landeskog, said he was glad Duchene was here, that “he’s one of our best players.” But this clearly has all the makings of a possibly dysfunctional situation the longer Duchene stays.

Avs coach Jared Bednar, though saying he “is on (Duchene’s) side”, made it clear he won’t tolerate anything less than a full effort on the ice for as long as he is here.

“It’s up to him to get his mind ready and come in here and compete for this team,” Bednar said.

TSN’s Darren Dreger tweeted that, based on his sources, the Avs will continue to try and make a deal for Duchene. It’s been more than a year, however, that Sakic has explored trade options, and nothing has yet to happen.

In other Avs news, Russian defenseman Nikita Zadorov did not report to camp, as he has yet to come to an agreement on a contract. He is one of only three restricted free agents around the NHL who remain unsigned.

He wants $2.5 million per year on his next deal, and the Avs are coming in at about $2 million.