NHL Rumors: Too Much Matt Dumba in Minnesota?

Wednesday, Sep 16, 2020 9:24 AM

The seven-year, $ 42 million contract extension offered Tuesday to defenseman Jonas Brodin by the Minnesota Wild could lead to the departure of full-back Matt Dumba.

Michael Russo of the site The Athletic has reported in the past that Wild General Manager Bill Guerin was actively attempting to swap Dumba in order to facilitate Brodin’s contracting.

Russo notes that since defensemen Jonas Brodin, Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter now each have a valid no-trade clause in their contract, the Wild will be forced to protect eight skaters and a goaltender (rather than seven forwards, three defensemen and a goaltender. ) or to close a deal to avoid losing Dumba for nothing in the Seattle Kraken expansion draft next year.

The Wild traded Alex Tuch to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017 to avoid losing Dumba in the expansion draft.

Russo says the Wild could trade Dumba this fall for some offensive reinforcement, but Guerin said on Tuesday he had no plans to change his defense at this time.

Dumba is on contract until the end of the 2022-2023 season with an average annual salary of $ 6 million. The 26-year-old has 6 goals and 24 points in 69 games this season, adding an assist to his record in four playoff games.

Vancouver, a destination?

Patrick Johnston du journal The Vancouver Province suggests the Canucks could try to acquire Dumba’s services to improve their defense in the offseason.

Johnston’s expertise allows him to believe that the right-handed defender would be an ideal partner for Quinn Hughes and that forward Brock Boeser could be sacrificed to facilitate this union.

Boeser, who has 16 goals and 45 points in 57 games this season, was the subject of trade rumors ahead of the resumption of NHL activities, but general manager Jim Benning said he had “no intention of exchange Brock Boeser ”.

However, that could change if the Canucks manage to come to an agreement with the unrestricted free agent in the making Tyler Toffoli, sees Johnston in his crystal ball.

Boeser had 4 goals and 11 points in 17 games after resuming activity in the NHL. He is under contract until the conclusion of the 2021-2022 season with an average annual salary of $ 5.875 million. He will then become a free agent with compensation.

Possible return of Holtby to Washington?

Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan confirmed on Tuesday that the team has no plans to strike a deal with goaltender Braden Holtby before the free agent market opens on October 9. However, he left the door open for Holtby to return to the organization.

“I expect him to test the free agent market. Exceptionally, there will be a lot of goalies on the market this year. I spoke briefly with his agent last week about the opportunity he is looking for. I take it that he will go to the market and we will keep in touch with him to see if he gets what he asks for. “

Holtby has just completed the last year of a five-year contract worth $ 30.5 million. Struggling for the team’s No. 1 goalie position with Ilya Samsonov during the regular season, Holtby started each of the Capitals’ playoffs, showing a 2-5-1 record, a .906 save rate and 2.49 goals against average.

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