Even though he plays for Dallas now, Matt Duchene’s heart is still in Nashville.
The center for the Dallas Stars spent four seasons with the Nashville Predators before having his contract bought out after the 2023 season. And I was really hoping Duchene would work out in Nashville, not just because he’s one of the best centers in the NHL, but because the man absolutely loves Music City and is a BIG country music guy.
Unfortunately the Preds have been kind of a mess lately, and could never really figure out how to get the most out of Duchene after signing him to a massive contract, so in the offseason the team decided to cut the former 3rd overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
But it seems that even though he was picked up by the Dallas Stars, Duchene still has a special place in his heart for Music City.
Speaking about his split from Nashville, Duchene said it was one of the hardest things he’s done in his career:
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’ve said it many times, I’ve never cried so much in my life during that period.”
But the Stars and Duchene were back in Nashville this week, delivering an embarrassing 9-2 beatdown to the Predators last night. And after he scored two goals against his former team, Duchene decided to go out and have a little fun in his former town.
Duchene took to the stage at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge last night, swapping his pads and stick for a guitar, and delivered a performance of Morgan Wallen’s hit “Whiskey Glasses” to the cheering crowd:
Once Nashville’s in your blood, it can be hard to leave.
