Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed forward Matt Duchene to a one-year contract, which will run through the 2023-24 season. The one-year deal is worth $3 million.
Duchene, 32, appeared in 71 regular-season games for Nashville in 2022-23, during which he led the team in goals (22) and ranked second in assists (34) and points (22-34—56). He shared second on the club in power-play points (5-8—13) and third in power-play goals (5). In a milestone season, Duchene recorded his 700th career NHL point on Nov. 15, 2022 vs. Minnesota and recorded his 300th career NHL goal on Dec. 2, 2022 at the New York Islanders.
"Matt was a player we had our eye on entering free agency," said Nill. "What he brings to our lineup goes well beyond his stats. A veteran of 14 NHL seasons, he's a proven point producer who can lead by example. We’re looking forward to having him join our strong core of leaders."
Duchene played four seasons in Nashville, tallying 197 points (84-113—197) in 249 regular-season games. He set career highs in goals (43), points (43-43—86) and power-play goals (16) during the 2021-22 campaign, recording the second-most points in a season in Predators history.
Selected by Colorado with the third overall pick in 2009, Duchene ranks second among players in his draft class in goals (316) and points (316-428—744) and fourth in assists (428). He also ranks third in even-strength goals (234) and fourth in power-play tallies (80), overtime goals (10) and game-winning goals (42). He was a Calder Memorial Trophy finalist in 2009 after leading all rookies in points (24-31—55) and sharing first in goals (24).
A two-time NHL All-Star, Duchene most recently earned the nod in 2016 with Colorado. He was named to his first NHL All-Star Game in 2011, also with the Avalanche.
Duchene has a wealth of experience on the international stage, winning gold with Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics, 2015 and 2016 World Championships, 2016 World Cup of Hockey and 2008 U-18 World Championship.