- Matt Duchene is doubtful for the Stars’ season opener against the Blues
- Dallas placed the veteran center on injured reserve after a setback
- Read below for what Glen Gulutzan said and how the Stars lineup changes
Matt Duchene won’t be ready for opening night in Dallas.
The Stars placed the veteran center on injured reserve Wednesday afternoon, as Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reported. Head coach Glen Gulutzan had already called Duchene doubtful for Friday’s season opener against the St. Louis Blues earlier in the day:
Duchene is dealing with a lower-body injury, the same one that held him out from the start of training camp. He didn’t play a single preseason game.
Things went sideways on the road. Dallas traveled to Minnesota for its preseason finale and then spent a few days in Traverse City, Michigan, and something didn’t feel right along the way:
Gulutzan was asked where things stand with the 35-year-old after Wednesday’s practice.
“He’s back kind of in a little bit of a maintenance program here,” Gulutzan said. “He skated this morning before practice, and so we’re just monitoring now to see where he’s going to be at.”
He also made it clear this isn’t related to the concussion that cost Duchene close to two months last fall.
NHL.com’s Robert Tiffin had more on how Dallas plans to handle Friday:
That 11-and-7 look is a cap problem as much as an injury problem. Duchene’s injury doesn’t call for long-term injured reserve, and without that relief the Stars can’t fit a 13th forward under the cap.
Asked about the roster crunch, Gulutzan didn’t sound surprised.
“This year, we know we’re going to be in this situation,” he said. “You guys can all do the math. We’re going to have more 11 and 7s than last year.”
Before the setback, Duchene was penciled in to center the third line between Jamie Benn and Sam Steel, plus a spot on the top power-play unit. Steel is the obvious candidate to slide into the middle while Duchene is out.
Losing him stings. Duchene put up 16 goals and 29 assists for 45 points in 57 games last season despite missing 25 games, then added nine points in six playoff games.
Dallas hosts the Blues on Friday at 8 p.m. CT, and Duchene’s 18th NHL season will have to wait a little longer.
