After being bought out by the Nashville Predators in January, Matt Duchene found himself in need of a fresh start. Luckily for him, he found that opportunity with the Dallas Stars and head coach Jim Montgomery.

Duchene, a highly skilled center, had struggled to find his footing in Nashville after signing a seven-year, $56 million contract in 2019. His production had dipped significantly, leading to the Predators making the decision to buy out the remaining years of his contract.

Enter the Stars and their head coach, Rick Bowness. Bowness, who took over as head coach after Montgomery was fired in December, saw potential in Duchene and believed he could help the talented forward rediscover his game.

But it wasn’t just Bowness who played a key role in Duchene’s rebound. Assistant coach Todd Nelson and special teams coordinator Derek Laxdal also worked closely with Duchene to help him adjust to his new team and system.

Under their guidance, Duchene quickly found his stride with the Stars. He became a key contributor on the power play and was able to showcase his offensive skills once again. In just 20 games with Dallas, Duchene tallied 15 points and helped the team secure a playoff spot.

The Stars’ success with Duchene is a testament to the importance of finding the right fit for a player. Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery and the right coaching staff to help a player reach their full potential.

As Duchene looks ahead to the playoffs with the Stars, he can be grateful for the opportunity they have given him to prove himself once again. And for DeBoer and the Stars, they can take pride in knowing they played a key role in helping Duchene rebound after his buyout.