Duchene signs 1-year, $3 million contract with Stars

Matt Duchene signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

The 32-year-old forward became an unrestricted free agent Saturday after he had the final three seasons of his seven-year, $56 million contract ($8 million average annual value) bought out by the Nashville Predators.

"It was heartbreaking, I found out very late in the process and obviously, I've been beyond grateful to have been a Nashville Predator," Duchene told TSN. "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.

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"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."

Duchene had 56 points (22 goals, 34 assists) in 71 games last season for Nashville, which did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He had a goal and an assist against the Minnesota Wild on Nov. 15, 2022, to pass 700 points in the NHL, becoming the second player from the 2009 NHL Draft to do so (John Tavares).

"No secret Matt Duchene, what he brings," Stars general manager Jim Nill said. "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 (forwards)."

The No. 3 pick by the Colorado Avalanche in 2009, Duchene has 744 points (316 goals, 428 assists) in 976 regular-season games for the Avalanche, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets and Predators. He has 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 32 playoff games.

"I don't know if Duchene] was plan A, but we were sitting here yesterday morning ... all of a sudden, the waiver wire hits and you see it's [Video: Matt Duchene joins Dallas Stars and it's Matt Duchene.

"...When Matt was a free agent, must be about four years ago, we'd talked to him. This was a destination for him. He's always liked our operation, how we work with things here. World Championships I had him (as GM for Canada), so I knew him well as a player and as a person. Know a little bit about his family memebers. Pete DeBoer, same way. Pete coached him at the World Championships also and (assistant) Steve Spott I believe had him at the under-18 team, so there's a connection there as well."

The Stars (47-21-11) finished second in the Central Division last season and advanced to the Western Conference Final, where they lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in six games.

Also on Saturday, the Stars signed forward Video: Matt Duchene joins Dallas Stars and Video: Matt Duchene joins Dallas Stars to a one-year contract.

Smith, 33, signed a $1 million contract. He had 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 64 games for the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins last season, including six points (five goals, one assist) in 22 games after he was acquired in a trade with the Bruins on Feb. 23. He has 414 points (200 goals, 214 assists) in 853 regular-season games for the Capitals, Bruins and Predators and 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 69 playoff games.

Steel, 25, signed a contract worth $850,000. He had 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 65 games for the Minnesota Wild last season. He made his playoff debut and had a goal and an assist in five games.

"We're actually fortunate, (Duchene) can play center, he can play wing, and he actually doesn't mind playing the off-wing, so flexibility there," Nill said. "Tyler (Seguin) is in the same boat, he can play center, he can play wing. Got two face-off men there, two face-off men on the top line, Roope (Hintz's) line, and we got two really good face-off guys on (Wyatt) Johnston's line. Then you've got Radek Faksa, who's one of the top center draw-men and Sam Steel takes draws also, so we've got lots of flexibility there. We've got options."

NHL.com independent correspondent Taylor Baird contributed to this report