Report: Nashville Predators front-runners for Matt Duchene in upcoming free agency

With the upcoming free agency coming, a lot of elite players may be hitting the market such as Erik Karlsson, Artemi Panarin, Jeff Skinner and Sergei Bobrovsky. The Nashville Predators are currently the front-runners in trying to sign Matt Duchene if he hits the market.

According to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, the Predators are expected to be going all-in for Matt Duchene to finally get their number one centreman. It's not the first time Nashville tried to acquire Duchene either. Last season, GM David Poile tried to acquire him while he was a member of the Colorado Avalanche.

Duchene is expected to demand at least $9 million per year on his upcoming contract, and Nashville only has $7 million in available cap space. But don't let that fool you, the Nashville Predators can move any player with a contract since most of his players don't have any trade restrictions.

The Nashville Predators have to re-sign restricted free agents Colton Scissons and Rocco Grimaldi and have 21 signed players. They will also have to sign Roman Josi also next season since he will be in the final year of his contract.

Do you think we will see Duchene in Nashville next season?