Matt Duchene’s season will be on pause for roughly three months after the Dallas Stars forward underwent surgery to repair a core injury.
The 35-year-old had been managing a lower-body issue through training camp and went on long-term injured reserve Oct. 1. Dallas had initially hoped he could work through the problem, but the injury did not improve enough for him to return.
“We believed he would be available, but that has not happened,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said earlier this month. “Over the past couple of weeks, he has not been able to get over the hump, even after trying to manage it for two weeks.”
After the horn
Duchene produced 16 goals and 29 assists in 57 regular-season games last season, finishing with 45 points. He added two goals and seven assists in six playoff appearances.
Dallas will now be without one of its experienced middle-six forwards for an extended stretch. Duchene has played 1,195 NHL regular-season games and collected 387 goals and 549 assists for 936 career points.
The No. 3 selection in the 2009 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche has also played for the Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators and Stars. In 75 postseason games, he has 15 goals and 31 assists for 46 points.
Next puck drop
The Stars, 2-2-1, host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN, SN+ and TVAS.
