Stars Forward Matt Duchene Underwent Core Surgery
The veteran forward is expected to be sidelined for three months following a successful procedure on a core muscle injury.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Hockey
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The Dallas Stars announced Monday that forward Matt Duchene underwent surgery to repair a core muscle injury. The 34-year-old player has been placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss approximately three months of action.
Why it matters
Duchene is a key contributor to the Dallas roster, having recorded 16 goals and 29 assists last season. His absence forces the team to adjust its forward depth early in the 2026-27 campaign.
Duchene recorded 16 goals and 29 assists in 57 games during the 2023-24 regular season. He added 2 goals and 7 assists across 6 playoff appearances.
The players
Matt Duchene
He is a 34-year-old veteran forward who signed a four-year, $18-million contract extension with the Dallas Stars prior to the 2023-24 season.
Dallas Stars
They are a professional NHL franchise based in Dallas that currently holds a 2-2-1 record to begin the 2026-27 season.
The details
The team placed Duchene on injured reserve prior to the start of the 2026-27 season. He has not appeared in any games during the current 2-2-1 start for Dallas.
Timeline
The team officially announced the surgery on Monday, October 12, 2026.
The Dallas Stars face the Colorado Avalanche on October 13, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This extended absence forces a reconfiguration of the Dallas lineup early in the 2026-27 season. The team must now rely on its remaining depth to maintain competitiveness in the division while Duchene recovers.
Duchene is ineligible for active play for three months, meaning he will miss a significant portion of the early regular-season schedule. Fantasy managers and fans should adjust expectations for team scoring production without his 16-goal capacity.
The takeaway
Maintaining roster depth is essential for NHL teams navigating long-term injuries to veteran players. Organizations must often utilize injured reserve designations to manage salary cap space and rotation needs during recovery periods.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit Dallas Hockey.
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