After an emotional move out of Minnesota to the Arizona Coyotes last off-season, defenseman Matt Dumba is on the move again. Dumba, along with a 7th-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft are being sent to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In exchange, the Coyotes will receive a 5th-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. The Coyotes will not retain any of Dumba’s salary.
Dumba was selected 7th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2012 NHL Draft. He spent parts of 10 seasons with the Wild. He’s played in 656 games in his career and has put 246 points on the scoresheet (83 goals and 163 assists). Dumba is a blue-liner with an offensive upside. He’s physical and enjoys taking risks on the ice. Dumba has a great locker room presence and is known as a good leader.
After it was obvious that he would have to move out of Minnesota due to salary cap issues, he signed a one-year contract with Arizona on August 7, 2023. His contract has a $3.9 million cap hit. During the 58 games that he has played for the Coyotes, he has 10 points (four goals and six assists).
In his career in Minnesota, he played in 49 playoff games over the course of eight seasons, putting up 15 points (five goals and 10 assists). Dumba makes a good playoff player because of his gritty presence on the ice. Sometimes skating a little too close to the edge, he can make questionable hits at times. But Dumba is never afraid to put his body on the line for the team.
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