FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dallas Stars veteran forward Matt Duchene is expected to miss about three months after the team said Monday that he had surgery to repair a core injury.

Duchene hasn't played in a game this season after dealing in training camp with what had been called a lower-body injury. He was placed on long-term injured reserve after a setback before the season opener, a move that meant he would have to miss at least the first 10 games.

The 35-year-old forward, who has played 17 NHL seasons, will now be out much longer than that.

Duchene had 45 points (16 goals and 29 assists) in 57 games for the Stars last season, his third in Dallas. He previously played for Colorado, Nashville, Ottawa and Columbus after being the third overall pick by the Avalanche in the 2009 draft.

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