The Dallas Stars made three straight Western Conference Finals from 2023 through 2025, but last year fell in the first round to the Minnesota Wild. The early exit from the playoffs was disappointing, but players like Matt Duchene were confident the franchise was still trending in the right direction.

Duchene has nine points in the series with the Wild, but has not been seen on the ice this year for the Stars. Now, a timeline for his return to the lineup is being given, according to hockey insider Frank Seravalli.

Duchene underwent core muscle surgery and will be out for three months.

The forward has been placed on injured reserve to begin the season, but there has not been an update on his status or when he could expect to return to the ice. Now, it seems like Duchene will not return to the lineup until after the new year.

The loss of the 35-year-old forward is substantial for the offense. Last year, in just 57 games, he scored 16 times while adding 29 assists. He joined the Stars for the 2023-24 season, signing as a free agent after his contract was bought out by the Nashville Predators. In three seasons, he has played 219 games with the team, scoring 71 goals and adding 121 assists.

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He has also been great in the playoffs. Last year, he scored two goals while chipping in seven assists against the Wild. Overall, he has found the back of the net five times with 16 assists in his three playoff runs with the Stars.

The Stars are 2-2-1 on the year and return to the ice on Tuesday to host the Colorado Avalanche.