Stars’ Matt Duchene has full faith in his GM despite Round 1 playoff exit

The Dallas Stars had a disappointing exit this past season from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Despite their early exit, Stars star Matt Duchene is sticking by his general manager. Duchene made positive comments about Stars GM Jim Nill.

“He’s the heart and soul of our organization, and we, to a man on that hockey team and in that organization, we trust him,” Duchene said, per NHL.com. “And so, as long as he’s running the show and doing his thing, I know we’re going to be a team that can contend.

“Obviously there’s going to be different roster changes and tweaks here and there, which happens with every team over the years, whether you win the Cup or not. And I just trust that he’s always going to be doing the right thing.”

Nill has had success. He is the only person to win the NHL’s Jim Gregory GM of the Year Award, for three consecutive seasons. He accomplished that feat from 2023-2025.

“There’s a reason I wanted to lock in long-term last summer,” Duchene said. “And there’s a reason I first decided to sign there (in 2023). He was a big part of that. So I couldn’t be happier to be part of that team.”

The Stars lost in the postseason this past campaign to the Minnesota Wild. Dallas had a 2-1 series lead, but lost three contests in a row to lose the series.

“We haven’t broken through quite to where we want to yet,” Duchene said. “But just going to training camp every year, knowing that we are one of those teams that actually has a chance, because the whole league doesn’t feel like that, it’s something I do not take for granted. I don’t take it lightly.

“Especially at my age where you’re getting near the end of your career, you know there’s more behind you than ahead of you. So it’s something you really, really value and appreciate and want to make the best of.”

Duchene finished the 2025-26 regular season with 45 points.

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