Peter Forsberg says he'd bench and trade Duchene

One of the greatest players in the history of the Colorado Avalanche believes the club should do more to address the Matt Duchene situation.

"Doubtful that he should be allowed to play (with the Avalanche)," Peter Forsberg said Saturday on Swedish television, as translated by Expressen's Robin Lindgren via Mike Chambers of the Denver Post.

"Put him in the stands," Forsberg continued. "If I were playing with a player that I know doesnt even want to be in the team, its not like he is going to throw himself on the ice and block shots with his head. It is mostly difficult to have a player like that in the team, although he is skillful and is doing his best. I would rather play with someone that wants to be there. I would put him on the bench and trade him."

Duchene, who has been on the trade block since last season, said he was "here to honor (his) contract," when he reported to training camp last month.

The center notched a goal and an assist in Colorado's season-opening win over the New York Rangers on Thursday night, and was held off the score sheet Saturday in a loss to the New Jersey Devils, despite firing five shots on goal.

Forsberg is the NHL's all-time leader in points per game among qualified Swedish players (1.25), and he ranks second on the Avalanche's franchise list for points per game (1.28), only behind Quebec Nordiques legend Peter Stastny.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014.

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