The future of Matt Dumba with the Wild has been in question the last couple of years with expansion on the horizon. Now with Seattle’s roster less than two months away from being picked, the questions are picking up. With the most common protection scheme involving three defensemen and three Minnesota rearguards other than Dumba having no-move clauses guaranteeing protection, the 26-year-old is viewed as the possible odd man out. Speaking with reporters including Sarah McLellan of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Dumba made it clear that he’d like to stick around:
My name’s in trade speculation every year, at the deadline, throughout the year. I’ve become accustomed to it. It is what it is. I’ve expressed my feelings and where I want to be, where my heart is. At the end of the day, that’s all I can do.
Dumba has two years remaining on his deal with a $6 million average annual value, a rate that could be viewed as a little high after he managed just 21 points in 51 games this season. However, he’s only three years removed from a 50-point campaign for the Wild, and considering that Dumba averages more than 22 minutes per night, there will be interest if they opt to move him.
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