Earlier this offseason, it seemed quite possible that Wild defenseman Mathew Dumba would be on the move. They had signed Jonas Brodin to a long-term extension and with Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon already locked up on long-term deals themselves and Seattle’s expansion draft looming, Dumba seemed to be the odd one out. So much so, in fact, that Minnesota was shopping him back in September.
However, as Michael Russo of The Athletic reports (subscription link), a move isn’t likely to materialize now. He notes that talks have cooled down and teams simply aren’t willing to part with the impact center that it would require to make GM Bill Guerin pull the trigger on a trade. Many teams being capped out doesn’t help either.
There may come a time where Dumba is eventually moved (expansion could eventually force their hand) but it doesn’t appear as if it will be now. Instead, it looks as if the 26-year-old will get an opportunity to rebuild some trade value after a quiet year with the Wild, one that saw him put up 24 points in 69 games, well below the point-per-game output from his previous two years.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- Although Sabres forward Sam Reinhart wound up signing a one-year deal last month, he told Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald that he is still hopeful to remain with Buffalo on a long-term contract down the road. Reinhart’s new pact will once again have him eligible for restricted free agency next offseason but at that time, he’ll only be a year away from UFA eligibility and could simply elect arbitration, take the award, and get to the open market. That doesn’t seem to be in the cards for the time being at least.
- The Hurricanes have added some AHL depth as their AHL affiliate in Chicago announced the signing of defenseman Brandon Hickey to a minor league deal. The 24-year-old spent the past two years in Buffalo’s system following his acquisition from Arizona but was non-tendered by the Sabres last month after playing in just 23 games last season.
77 points over 114 games is not a point per game. Someone needs to proofread for Brian!
he never said it was he said it was below his ppg average from the previous two years not that he had a point per game the previous two years
Actually he said, “the point-per-game output from his previous two years.” So, yes, yes he did.