Matt Duchene is chasing one more thing in Dallas, and the Stars believe he can do it
Photo credit: Habs fanatics
After a career-best year with the Dallas Stars, Matt Duchene returns on a four-year extension, but the playoffs remain his unfinished business
When Matt Duchene signed with the Dallas Stars in 2023, few expected it to lead to the kind of career revival he's had since.
Now entering his age-34 season, the veteran center is no longer just a short-term rental.
He's now a long-term piece of the Stars' core, after agreeing to a four-year extension worth $4.5 million annually, a well-earned raise following his 82-point season.
Duchene's 2024-25 campaign was arguably one of the best of his career.
He scored 30 goals, set a new personal record with 52 assists, and led all Stars skaters with a 19.7% shooting percentage.
He also topped the team in power-play production with 27 points, thriving even while bouncing between different linemates after injuries to Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment.
What made the performance more impressive is how Duchene adapted.
Despite losing both wingers on his line for extended stretches, he still played a major role in Dallas finishing third in the league in scoring, averaging 3.35 goals per game.
Matt Duchene must now prove himself in the playoffs after back-to-back postseason struggles
That said, the postseason painted a different picture.
Duchene managed just six points in 18 playoff games, including a single goal, while tying Wyatt Johnston for a league-worst minus-16 rating.
For a player with 82 points in the regular season, it was a frustrating drop.
That makes this coming year a pivotal one.
The Stars hope to get more from Duchene when it matters most.
«He's still learning what it takes to elevate in the playoffs,» head coach Glen Gulutzan said last spring. «But you can tell he's determined to figure it out.»
Duchene has already appeared in more playoff games with Dallas (37) than he did in the first 14 years of his NHL career.
That experience matters.
He's known around the league for his high hockey IQ, and internally the Stars believe his constant self-evaluation will help him break through.
«I've never seen a player study his own game like Matt does,» Seguin told The Athletic earlier this summer. «It's contagious. Guys feed off that.»
With Seguin expected to rejoin Duchene on the second line this season, there's real potential for Dallas to build one of the league's most dangerous veteran duos.
If the chemistry returns, so might the point totals.
And if Duchene can finally bring that same impact into May and June, the Stars could have a difference-maker in the room and on the ice.
Personally, I believe his hunger to win a Cup is exactly what Dallas needs.
Source: Here
| POLL | ||
AOUT 6 | 67 ANSWERS Matt Duchene is chasing one more thing in Dallas, and the Stars believe he can do it Is Matt Duchene worth his four-year, $18 million extension with the Dallas Stars? | ||
| Yes | 54 | 80.6 % |
| No | 13 | 19.4 % |
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