*Photo from Predlines*
Moving two states over is a decision this player made. The Dallas Stars have signed C Matt Duchene to a one year, $3 million contract, according to Pierre Lebrun of TSN. The Stars have confirmed the addition.
Duchene hit the open market when the Nashville Predators bought out the final 3 seasons of a 7 year contract he signed with them. When he hit free agency, he opted for a one year deal in Dallas to pay him $3 million, with no bonuses in the contract.
Asked about the quick change of teams, Duchene said "It was heartbreaking, I found out very late in the process and obviously, I've been beyond grateful to have been a Nashville Predator. Nashville will be home for us forever. That's where we love and that doesn't change with this. I understand obviously what's going on there. New things happen and directions get changed. I can't say enough about my time there and how much I love the fans, the city, everything. On the other hand, this is a business and I'm really excited to be joining an amazing team in Dallas. Really looking forward to it."
One thing the Stars have seen a lot when they play Duchene is him scoring points. The majority of his career has been spent in the Western Conference, thus playing the Stars more often. In 51 games against the Stars, Duchene has scored 46 points in just over 12 seasons in the western conference.
Last season was Duchene's 4th with the Predators. He ended the season with a +4 rating and 56 points, split between 22 goals and 34 assists. He averaged 18:19 of ice time per game over 71 games in the regular season.
Dallas GM Jim Nill said of signing Duchene that "No secret Matt Duchene, what he brings. He's a puck possession guy, he's got great speed, good on the power play, holds onto pucks, so I think we've improved our game that way. It really solidifies our top nine."
Duchene has played for 4 different teams over 14 seasons in the NHL. In that time, he has 316 goals and 428 assists, averaging 18:18 of ice time per game while posting a -92 rating in 976 regular season games since debuting in 2009-2010. Duchene has another 10 goals and 15 assists over 32 career playoff games.
The addition of Duchene comes on the heels of an exit in the western conference finals for the Stars, losing in 6 games to the eventual Stanley Cup champions in the Vegas Golden Knights.
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