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

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 in a 2-1 win 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).

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.

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 Craig Smith and Sam Steel 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.