Predators' Star Becomes First 40-Goal Scorer In Team History

One year ago, Nashville Predators forward Matt Duchene was left unprotected at the Expansion Draft. After recording just 13 points in 34 contests, there was concern that the 31-year-old's best days were behind him. Now, he has proven all of his critics wrong, as he has now become the first Predator to score 40 goals in a single season.

Recently, I discussed how Duchene was the Predators' biggest bounce-back player this season, and this major accomplishment only helps prove this more. On the season, he now has a career-high 78 points in 73 games. Overall, it's hard to find a turnaround in the league.

One has to wonder how the Seattle Kraken are now feeling after passing on Duchene. At that moment, it was entirely understandable, as his disastrous 2020-21 season and $8 million cap hit until the end of the 2025-26 campaign was a horrible match. Yet, things have changed significantly this campaign.

Nevertheless, congrats to Matt on this excellent milestone!