FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Stars announced Monday that veteran forward Matt Duchene will be out for approximately three months after undergoing surgery to repair a core injury. The 35‑year‑old, who has not yet appeared in a game this season, had been dealing with a lower‑body issue during training camp and was placed on long‑term injured reserve before the season opener.

Injury background and surgery

Duchene’s injury first surfaced in the preseason, prompting the Stars to move him to long‑term injured reserve, a designation that required him to miss at least the first ten games. After a setback in early October, the team confirmed that surgery was necessary to address the core problem. The procedure was performed on Monday, and team medical staff expect a recovery period of roughly three months before Duchene can return to full practice.

Impact on the Stars’ roster

The Stars will need to adjust their forward depth chart while Duchene recovers. Coach Pete DeBoer has already shuffled lines to compensate for the loss, giving younger players more ice time. The team’s recent performance has been solid, but losing a seasoned scorer like Duchene could affect scoring depth as the season progresses.

Duchene’s contributions to Dallas

During the 2024‑25 campaign, Duchene recorded 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in 57 games, his third season with Dallas. His experience and two‑way play have been valuable assets for the Stars, who are aiming to make a deep playoff run. Prior to joining Dallas, Duchene spent time with Colorado, Nashville, Ottawa and Columbus after being selected third overall by the Avalanche in the 2009 NHL Draft.

What’s next for the Stars?

With Duchene’s recovery timeline set at about three months, the Stars will continue to rely on players such as Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and newly acquired talent to fill the offensive void. The organization remains optimistic that Duchene will return to form once cleared by medical staff, and fans can expect to see him back on the ice later in the season.

Fan reaction

Local fans expressed disappointment on social media, noting Duchene’s leadership and clutch scoring. However, many also voiced confidence in the team’s depth and the coaching staff’s ability to adapt. The Stars’ front office reiterated its commitment to player health and emphasized that the surgery was the best course of action for a full recovery.

Looking ahead

The Stars are scheduled to play a series of home games against the Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche over the next two weeks. Those matchups will test the roster’s resilience without Duchene, but the team hopes to maintain its position in the Western Conference standings.

Original reporting: Fort Worth, TX Sports (HLL/CB) — read the source article.