From 2017-2019, Matt Duchene had spent his NHL career with the Ottawa Senators. The Senators trading for Duchene would backfire and set the franchise back for years as they traded him to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2019 trade deadline.
After the 2018-19 season, Duchene had four steady years with the Nashville Predators, but the past two seasons have been arguably the best of Duchene's career with helping the Dallas Stars reach the Western Conference Finals. In the 2024-25 regular season, Duchene led the Stars in points and assists.
Duchene and the Stars were eliminated once again in the Western Conference Finals by the Edmonton Oilers this past Thursday. With how the 2025 playoffs went for Duchene, the Senators shouldn't consider with a reunion with Duchene.
2025 playoffs were an absolute struggle for Duchene
Heading into the 2025 playoffs, Duchene was going to be heavily relied on by the Stars after having 82 points and 52 assists in the regular season, but the 2025 playoffs were a disaster for Duchene.
Duchene finished with six points in 19 games for the Stars in the playoffs. All six of Duchene's points were powerplay points, and his 5-on-5 play wasn't pretty either. Duchene finished the playoffs with a horrific -16 rating, which was tied for the worst on the Stars.
Duchene appeared to have his confidence back in the playoffs when his goal in Game 1 of the 2025 Western Conference Finals turned out to be the game-winning goal against the Oilers. However, it was the only goal that Duchene scored during the 2025 playoffs, and Duchene recorded no points in the next four games against the Oilers.
This Summer, Duchene is an unrestricted free agent at 34 years old. For the past two years, Duchene has been on one-year contracts with the Stars at a salary of $3 million for both seasons. With the 2025 playoff struggles, the Senators shouldn't consider signing Duchene with a chance at a second tenure in Ottawa.
With leading the Stars in points and assists in the regular season, Duchene could potentially seek a solid salary with the production he's delivered for the Stars over the past two seasons. Duchene could also seek a contract for more than one year which can also become a risk considering his age. However, playoff woes might be a major concern to take on for signing Duchene.
Despite regular season success, Duchene has underperformed in the playoffs in his career. This year's playoff struggles will be a thing that teams will have to take into consideration if interested in signing Duchene this Summer.
One of those teams could potentially be the Senators. However, staying away from Duchene might be the best case for the Senators.