The Minnesota Wild have been quite aggressive in re-shaping their roster this season, which includes adding Marcus Johansson, Nick Bonino, Nick Bjugstadt and Cam Talbot, while also re-signing a number of key free agents and eliminating significant cap space. However, one move that hasn’t happened yet was the expected trade of defenseman Matt Dumba.
The Athletic’s Michael Russo (subscription required) writes that it might be a while before a trade for the blueliner is found. With few teams ready to give Minnesota a significant return, and because a number of previously interested teams have already filled their need on defense, this is not the best time to find a trade partner. Russo suggests that one team that might still be interested is the Florida Panthers, who still need help on defense and have the prospects to make a deal happen.
Russo adds that he heard that Minnesota tried to pry Florida’s first-round pick in this year’s draft, whom the Panthers used to select Anton Lundell, as part of a package for Dumba, which Florida rejected, but mainly because it wanted Lundell. Regardless, the Wild need to stay patient and hope they can find a match with Florida or any other team ready to get into the running.
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