For years, Matt Dumba has been at the center of trade talks. The Minnesota Wild had too many defensemen, then they didn’t have the cap space, and now he is closing in on free agency. His name has come up once again, and (hesitantly), Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet discussed it on the recent 32 Thoughts podcast.
There has been a lot of talk about him this week, I think it’s all pretty accurate. I think a whole bunch of teams have called at various times this year about Dumba. Bill Guerin has told people ’if you want to talk about Dumba, make me an offer that makes me think.’ Guerin and the Minnesota Wild are trying to win the Stanley Cup, and are not going to make a deal that makes them worse [this season].
Friedman confirmed that the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks have shown interest, along with other teams. But doesn’t believe anything has come close to this point, as Guerin and the Wild have their sights set on a long postseason run.
- The St. Louis Blues have returned Dmitri Samorukov to the minor leagues, ending his recent call-up after just a few days. The 23-year-old defenseman didn’t get into an NHL game, but does have 34 appearances for the Springfield Thunderbirds. Acquired from the Edmonton Oilers before the season, he’s on a one-year, one-way contract that leaves him as an arbitration-eligible RFA this summer.
- Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller has been fined $5,000 for a cross-check in last night’s game against the Ottawa Senators. The incident resulted in a five-minute major and game misconduct for Keller, who hit Erik Brannstrom in the throat area after a battle in front of the net. Fortunately for the Coyotes, he will not face a suspension in this case.
@Gavin – I must respectfully ask that you return my calendar to me, so I can replace the batteries. The Ky-Yoots played OTT last night, but I loved the last paragraph. It reminded me of a dialog sequence in a movie:
“The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only.
There is no stopping in the red zone.
The red zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only.
There is no stopping in the white zone.
No, the white zone is for loading and unloading, and there is no stopping in the red zone.
The red zone has always been for loading and unloading.
There is never stopping in a white zone.
Don’t tell me which zone is for stopping and which zone is for loading.
Listen, Betty, don’t start up with your white zone…”
Literally no idea why I wrote Edmonton there. It’s fixed.
@Gavin – Friday the 13th will do it, every time! :) Thanks!