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A big part of Dorion’s job is to make sure he’s aware of who’s available, what the asking price is and if that player isn’t going to come to Ottawa where he might possibly land. The Senators showed interest in Duchene last year but when push came to shove, Sakic wasn’t ready to make the move.

Dorion has been aggressive on the trade market. After ruling out winger Clarke MacArthur, the Senators acquired Tommy Wingels from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a couple of minor-leaguers and a seventh-round draft pick Tuesday.

That took a lot of work and it’s one of the few deals that has actually happened this season, which shows you how difficult a trade is to make.

When Dorion told reporters after making the Wingels deal Tuesday, he “likes his team,” he wasn’t just paying the fanbase a lip service. The way Boucher has the Senators performing is the right way and it might not be the most exciting some nights but how can you argue with the success?

Making a deal for Duchene would be popular, but it would it be right if the club has to give up more than it’s worth? The best-case scenario for the Senators is for the answers to come from within. Centre Derick Brassard and winger Bobby Ryan can improve the situation by playing better.

By the time the Senators return from a three-game trip to face the St. Louis Blues at home on Feb. 7, they could add a player without making a trade because goaltender Craig Anderson may be prepared to start and that’s like making a trade without giving up an asset.

The Senators may still add some skill before the deadline and, make no mistake, Dorion is always looking. If Duchene is going to be moved, Ottawa will keep its nose to the grindstone in the discussions but the deal has to make sense and, at this particular moment, it doesn’t.