The Dallas Stars announced Monday that forward Matt Duchene underwent successful surgery to repair a core injury and is expected to miss approximately three months.
General manager Jim Nill issued the update after Duchene had already sat out the start of the 2026-27 season. The 35-year-old had not appeared in any games this year after dealing with a lower-body issue that surfaced in training camp.
“Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that forward Matt Duchene underwent successful surgery to repair a core injury. Duchene is expected to miss approximately three months,” the team said in a statement.
Duchene was placed on long-term injured reserve earlier this month, retroactive to Sept. 29. That designation requires a minimum of 10 games and 24 days away from the lineup, though the surgery timeline now points well beyond that window.
A return in mid-January would be the earliest possible date if recovery stays on track. The club has left open the possibility that his absence could stretch longer depending on how rehabilitation progresses.
Last season Duchene recorded 16 goals and 29 assists for 45 points in 57 games. He also contributed nine points in six playoff games before Dallas fell to the Minnesota Wild in the first round, ending a three-year streak of reaching the Western Conference Finals.
In 2024-25 he led the Stars in scoring with 30 goals and 82 points in all 82 games. The year before that, his first in Dallas, he posted 25 goals and 65 points in 80 contests.
Duchene signed with the Stars in 2023 after the Nashville Predators bought out the remainder of his previous contract. He has since totaled 71 goals and 192 points in regular-season play with the club through the end of 2025-26.
The veteran is in the second year of a four-year contract that carries a $4.5 million annual average value. Placing him on long-term injured reserve has freed roughly $2.25 million in current salary-cap space for the Stars.
Dallas opened the season at 2-2-1 through five games. The team has leaned on its forward depth early, recalling players from the American Hockey League affiliate while Duchene recovers.
His versatility as both a center and wing has been a regular part of the Stars’ top-nine mix. Losing that option for an extended stretch forces adjustments across the lineup as the club aims for another deep playoff run.
Duchene arrived at camp healthy but suffered a setback during the preseason. The decision to proceed with surgery came after conservative management failed to clear him for regular-season action.
The Stars remain focused on contending for the Stanley Cup this season. Duchene’s production in recent years made him a reliable secondary scoring piece behind the team’s higher-profile forwards.
Recovery from core muscle surgery typically involves a structured timeline of rest followed by progressive skating and conditioning work. The club has not released further medical details beyond the three-month estimate.
Fans and teammates will watch the coming weeks for any updates on his progress. A healthy return later in the regular season would still leave Duchene available for the postseason push if the Stars secure a playoff spot.
