Matt Duchene is a new forward for the Dallas Stars. Duchene signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Stars on July 1, 2023. The 32-year-old center and right-wing previously played for the Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Nashville Predators.
Duchene has the flexibility to play center or right-winger, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. Here’s what you need to know about him.
Big-Money Buyout
The Stars seemed thrilled about signing Duchene on the first day of the 2023 NHL free agency. But the Predators reportedly led the way in buying out Duchene, who had three years remaining on a seven-year, $56 million contract. Duchene was the latest veteran player to leave Nashville, Tennessee, since former NHL coach Barry Trotz took over as the Predators’ general manager.
Aside from Duchene, Nashville traded Ryan Johansen to the Avalanche. It’s safe to say that the Predators appear to continue their path toward a rebuild.
Seeking Motivation
After being bought out by Nashville, Duchene admitted that he was devastated but emphasized that he’d use the buyout as motivation in 2023-24.
“When a team tells you they don’t want you anymore, it’s tough, right?” Duchene explained at his introductory press conference. “It’s business, and the game is [the business], but at the same time, the game is who we are as people. I’ve been a hockey player since I was two years old; that’s how I identify.”
Duchene was one of the top unrestricted free agents, and he signed with a better team. The Stars are a constant force, while the Predators are borderline rebuilders. Duchene’s excited to chase a Stanley Cup ring in Dallas, Texas.
Potential Implications
Duchene seems to fit in with the Stars as he immediately completes their top-nine forwards. But where might Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque fit in?
Stankoven and Bourque are the Stars’ top two prospect forwards. The former was drafted 47th overall by the Stars in the 2021 NHL Draft, while the latter was drafted 30th overall by the Stars in the 2020 NHL Draft.
There’s a chance the Stars will deal away Stankoven or Bourque to address their defensive issues. But I think the Stars shouldn’t trade Stankoven, as that would be a big mistake. Stankoven’s an undersized forward that’s feisty, plays a high-powered game, and possesses an offensive skill that can scorch opposing teams.
Family Man
Duchene has been married to Ashley Groissant since July 8, 2017. The couple hosted an intimate, outdoor wedding in the woods at Eaton Ranch in Edwards, Colorado.
The couple met in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2010 through mutual friends and got engaged in Denver in 2016 — under the guise of celebrating Duchene’s recent World Cup win. The couple was their favorite restaurant, Tag, and a photographer stopped the traffic to take a photo of them “for the restaurant’s wall,” but Duchene dropped to one knee and asked for Groissant’s hand.
Groissant recalled to Brides, “During the meal, Matt had surprise number two: He had collected videos from all our family and friends who live out of town congratulating us.”
The couple share three children: son Beau and daughters Jaymes and Ellie. Jaymes showed interest in hockey after taking a hockey stick to play with her brother and father. Jaymes is a big fan of her father.
Despite the highs and lows, Groissant grew accustomed to motherhood in the NHL as a hockey mom. When her children aren’t in a school or an arena, Groissant enforces rules at home and relies on the support of her family and friends, including other NHL wives and girlfriends, especially those who are also mothers. Groissant’s not your average hockey mom, and her advice for other hockey moms would be to “cherish the small moments” and “go easy on yourself.”
Believer Mentality
Duchene is one of the Stars’ newest players, but he believes his new team can win a Stanley Cup.
Aside from hard work and dedication, Duchene’s believer mentality can help his team in the near future. He has never played for a Stanley Cup, despite playing in the NHL for 14 seasons. He was drafted third overall in the 2009 NHL Draft.
Duchene thinks that the Stars will give him the best chance to win a Stanley Cup.
Duchene told FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth, “I used to watch the Stanley Cup Final every year, and I have not watched it the last few years because I can’t anymore. It drives me nuts. Jealousy is not a good thing to feel, but I feel so jealous watching those guys lift it at the end. And I know everybody feels that way. So, I hope that you know, kinda God’s plan for me being here is to hopefully have a run at that and hopefully lift it.”
Duchene and the Stars will take the ice in September for training camp.
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