Stars' Duchene Could Find Himself Signing With Another Serious Cup Contender

At this stage of his career, Matt Duchene has made his money and is looking to win. He still has a lot of game left and has been great for the Dallas Stars these past two seasons. Unfortunately the Stars have run into the Edmonton Oilers both years in the conference finals and lost.

Duchene signed two one-year, $3 million AAV deals with the Stars coming out of his buyout from the Nashville Predators. Whether it is solely because he is willing to take much less than what he's worth to give his team a better chance of winning or he has been biding his time until the cap is set to increase, he's taken less and come close to winning. He hasn't signed a contract with the Stars yet, although there hasn't been much time during the playoffs. So if not Dallas, where else could he go to win?

While the Oilers could be a choice, there is one team that has made the Stanley Cup Final one more year in a row, and that's the Florida Panthers. Florida is also a tax-free state, so Duchene would take home more money if he continues to take less on his contracts. I wouldn't say the Panthers have had an easy run to the final as the Oilers have lost fewer games, but they are built to win and with the cap space coming available as well as the players that are signed, they will remain at the top.

The Panthers are possibly losing UFAs like Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, Nico Sturm, and Tomas Nosek. The most notable of the group mentioned is Bennett. If he leaves, there is a clear opening up the middle. Anton Lundell could move up and fill that role. He is going to be paid to do so. But that could also be filled by a veteran on a cheap deal for another couple of years, even one.

Lundell has played great as the third line center and Bennett won't be coming back unless it's on a long-term deal. Plenty of teams will be looking to give him more and for a longer term. It is in Florida's best interest to invest somewhere else, like in Duchene if he's available. He is set on winning and is a very good player, having scored 30 goals and 82 points this season. He hasn't been as impactful in the playoffs, so that's a risk the Panthers may have to take, but even if he is the third line center, that is some great depth.

Florida isn't going to be quiet this offseason as this dynasty isn't close to being finished.