Expectations for 2026-27: When the Stars extended Duchene in June 2025, the expectation was that he would remain a centerpiece in the offensive attack in what could be the final contract of his career. He will turn 36 this January, but time has yet to slow him down. In three seasons with Dallas, he has 71 goals and 192 points in 219 games. Only Robertson and Wyatt Johnston have more points in a Stars uniform over that span. He’s won over 53 percent of his faceoffs and posted a plus-25 rating, 57 power play points and 17 game-winners. One of his biggest strengths has been his consistency. The postseason has been a bit of a gray area for Duchene during his Dallas tenure, with just five goals and 21 points in 42 games. But the hope is that his 2026 playoff campaign, though a small sample size, is a sign of things to come. After two seasons of crafting impressive chemistry on a line with Mason Marchment and Tyler Seguin, Duchene was forced to pivot this season following Marchment’s trade and Seguin’s injury. It didn’t take long, however, for him to find a new spark on a line with Sam Steel and Jamie Benn in the back half of the season. As a result, the Stars seem to have options regarding how to deploy the veteran center in the season ahead. Will he, Steel and Benn make up a sturdy third line option for Dallas? Will he be reunited with Seguin in the top six? Time will tell. However it shakes out, Duchene should once again play a primary role in a balanced offensive arsenal.
