Forward Matt Duchene and the Dallas Stars are reportedly in the midst of a major contract extension discussion, so it is unlikely that he will become an unrestricted free agent on Monday, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. The trade of Chris Tanev’s signing rights to the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this afternoon marked the Stars organization’s abrupt turn away from the prospective UFA. Shortly before free agency opened, Duchene had the last three years and $24 million of his Nashville Predators contract bought out during the previous summer. With a swift move, the Stars organization signed Duchene to a $3 million, one-year contract. Duchene quickly emerged as one of the better value contracts from the offseason of last summer, representing a rare low-risk, high-reward decision.
After a season in which he finished with 22 goals and 56 points in 71 games for Nashville, Duchene had a blistering start in the Lone Star State that lasted for almost two-thirds of the season. Despite averaging fewer than 17 minutes of ice time each game, Duchene scored 22 goals and 55 points in his first 55 games in Dallas. Duchene’s impressive numbers on the attacking end of the puck are complemented by outstanding defensive and possession play, as shown by his 54.0% CorsiFor% and 92.1% on-ice save percentage in all scenarios. Regretfully, Duchene’s success did not persist as he finished the regular season with just three goals and ten points in his final 25 games. Dallas was able to secure home ice for the Conference Finals and the top record in the Western Conference despite Duchene’s personal poor season finale.
Duchene was limited to two points in seven games during the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs as the Stars defeated the Vegas Golden Knights, the reigning Stanley Cup champions. In six games against the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas’ Central Division foe, Duchene scored one goal and four points, giving the impression that he was picking up steam in Round 2. Duchene’s fire from Round Two was immediately put out in the Western Conference Finals against the Edmonton Oilers, as he was limited to only nine shots in six games and failed to score any points.
Duchene fit right in with the Stars organization both on and off the ice, despite a little inconsistent play toward the conclusion of the season and throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs. Due to the likelihood that veteran Joe Pavelski will retire this offseason, Duchene may have access to better opportunities in Dallas over the coming years.
