Stars Lose Duchene for Three Months After Core Muscle Surgery

The Dallas Stars will be without one of their most important forwards for a long stretch after Matt Duchene underwent successful surgery to repair a core muscle injury. The team announced Monday that the 35-year-old is expected to be sidelined for approximately three months.

Duchene, who has not played a game this season, was placed on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury the day before the regular season began. The timing could hardly be worse for Dallas: the Stars sit at 2-2-1 and are tied for 26th in the league in goals per game at just 2.20.

Last season Duchene led the team in scoring with 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in 57 games, and from 2023-24 through 2025-26 the Stars ranked third in the NHL in goals per game. Without their offensive engine, general manager Jim Nill may be forced to explore the trade market for help, with the offense currently his team's most pressing issue.

The Haliburton, Ontario native has suited up for five NHL teams across 17 seasons, posting 387 goals and 549 assists in 1,195 career games. A two-time All-Star, he has eclipsed the 70-point mark four times. Duchene is in the second year of a four-year, $18-million contract with Dallas.