Dumba in Dallas: What Does it Mean?
Matt Dumba is familiar with the Dallas Stars, and Stars fans are familiar with him.
The former Utah Hockey Club (Arizona Coyotes in 2023-24) defenseman faced the Stars 28 times in the regular season and twice in the playoffs playing for the Minnesota Wild. In that span, the Stars won both series and went 25-23 against the Wild in the regular season.
Perhaps most well known to Dallas faithful for his hit on Joe Pavelski during the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Dumba brings more than just a physical edge to the Lone Star State.
Desert and Sun
Dumba’s 2023-24 campaign is characterized by change. After moving on from Minnesota — the organization that drafted him and developed him on and off the ice for 10 years — to join the Coyotes as a free agent, the Coyotes dealt the 29-year-old to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightning, looking for mainly defensive depth, let Dumba walk on July 1.
Stars General Manager Jim Nill snagged the rugged blueliner off the free agent market that day, signing Dumba to a $7.5 million contract with an annual average value (AAV) of 3.75 million.
“We’ve seen Matt first-hand for many years in the Central Division, and we’re confident he’ll be a tremendous addition to our club. He’s a right-handed defenseman who will bring physicality to our blueline and has made numerous trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Additionally, our team will be bolstered by Matt’s leadership qualities in the locker room and the community.”
Potential Role
Dumba alters the blue line to five left-shooting units and four right-shooting units. You could make the argument that he is the best on the right side while Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley dominate the left. Nils Lundkvist shoots right and improved last season. Dumba, an 11-year NHL veteran, can log heavy minutes or play against top lines to support Lundkvist’s development.
Dumba can beef up the team via his physical edge. Dallas was 32nd in penalty minutes last season and second to last in hits. Their discipline helped collect wins, but increasing both of those stats was likely in Nill’s mind when he signed Dumba. The Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers were first in hits and PIMs last season.
In addition to Dumba, Dallas added defensemen Ilya Lyubushkin and Brendan Smith. Both play to the right side and have a physical component as well, especially Smith, who gathered 61 PIMs in 63 games.
Dumba on Joining the Stars
“It’s a great organization. They got an awesome team. I was able to watch them in the playoffs. I thought they should have gone further, too. I’m happy to be a part of this squad and hopefully take that next step.”
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