The Dallas Stars made headlines across the NHL.
At the start of this year’s free agency, Dallas made one of this summer’s most significant acquisitions by signing Matt Duchene to a one-year deal.
A proven goal scorer for over a decade in the league. This upcoming season we’re going to see how a long-time rival on multiple teams will play out in Big D.
Forward Shuffling
As the Stars continue with free agency, the team is seeing its losses and gains. Having parted ways with Max Domi, and Luke Glendening, the Stars signed Duchene, which should shore up the offensive losses. Regarding goal scoring, the Stars adding Duchene, Craig Smith, and Sam Steel, should be able to roll all four lines nightly. It is making them one of the most entertaining and offensively dangerous teams in all of the league.
While the defense is the biggest question mark of the team Duchene wants to win the Cup with, there’s still plenty of time to sort that out via the lineup and whatever transactions are made within the following year. This summer Nill and the Stars prioritized and solidified their four lines heading into the fall.
Everyone Wants Goal Scoring
While general manager Jim Nill and the Stars may get criticized for focusing on offense and not the defensive core, the fact is everyone wants to score goals. In particular, this era of hockey means more fast-paced, transitional, offensively skilled athletes. Gone are the days when goaltending and the trap game dominated the sport as they did in the 90s and early 2Ks.
Duchene has been one of the more recognizable goal scorers in the NHL for over a decade. He’s also done it with every team he’s played with.
Dallas fans will also be hoping for a hat trick to be in their favor this time around.
While Duchene is past his years as a team superstar, he doesn’t need to be. His depth, scoring, and experience are what Nill brought him aboard for.
Aiming for the Cup
There is no question that for the Stars and Duchene, the end goal of this one-year deal is the same. To win the Stanley Cup. Dallas was two wins away from a finals appearance before losing to eventual champs in six games to the Vegas Golden Knights. At age 32, Duchene has plenty of years left as long as he’s relatively healthy. But he wants to get a ring at least once before he calls a career.
Duchene will be heading into his 15th NHL season and has yet to add champion to his resume. Adding another championship-craving player to the team will be a plus for 2024. Before getting to the Stanley Cup finals, Duchene needs to first get past round number two.
Going to a championship-contending team in Dallas gives him the best chance in his career to go the deepest in the playoffs he’s ever been.
Photo: FOX4
