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Minnesota Wild: Mathew Dumba is Becoming More Expendable Everyday

By Turner Olson |
Apr 18, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba (24) looks for a pass in the first period against the Dallas Stars in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba (24) looks for a pass in the first period against the Dallas Stars in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba has yet to sign a new contract with the club.  As rumors of a price divide between the Wild and Dumba surface, it could leave the club with no other choice but to trade him.

Coming off his age 21 season which saw him improve upon his production to post career highs in points, assists, and goals,(10+16=26) most assumed Matt Dumba would be quickly retained by the Wild.  But as we enter mid July, he remains unsigned.  So what is going on exactly?  Why has the team shuffled its feet to sign one of their best young players?

Last Thursday GM Chuck Fletcher told Michael Russo of the Star Tribune that in regards to talks with Dumba “I don’t anticipate any problems. Hopefully something gets done here pretty quickly.”  On the surface that seems like a statement that should give you confidence that the Wild and Dumba are close to a contract.  But if you really drill it down, that word “Hopefully” make it seem like things are not a lock right now.

What makes the fact Dumba has not signed a contract yet more confusing were Fletcher’s comments after signing Eric Staal.  The GM stated that keeping the teams young defensive core in tact was one of his goals this offseason.  So if Dumba is that much of a priority, what has been blocking a deal?

While not a knock on Dumba, perhaps Fletcher is thinking along different lines and if signing Dumba is going to be to hard or not for the right price the Wild could look to other options.  The Wild have been ankle-deep in trade rumors all offseason.  And the GM has to know that signing two veteran players to a group that vastly under performed last year is not going to change the performance on the ice a whole heck of a lot.

Related Story: Why Hasn’t Dumba Signed Yet?

This team needs a player who will tilt the ice in its favor, one who will finally end the Wild’s perpetual search for offense.  The signings of Staal and Stewart were made to help this team win now. And that should be the mindset, after all we are talking about a team that has made the playoffs four straight years.  So Dumba has to know that he might not be the priority as the Wild possibly expand their search for a game changing forward.

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They have defensive prospects in Christian Folin and Mike Reilly who have past NHL experience and are ready to be regular contributors.  However, the Wild already boast a strong defensive corps all of which are in or before their prime so for the time being they are both stuck in Iowa.  This sounds like a recipe for a trade to acquire another top end forward, as Dumba becomes more expendable by the day.

Next: Are the Kings Still Looking to Swap for Folin?

Of course there always exists the possibility that negotiations are just running longer than expected and a deal will get done at some point during the summer.  But the longer Dumba remains unsigned, the more you have to wonder what both sides are thinking.  One thing is for sure the Wild will get value from Dumba if it means signing him to the right deal, or trading him for a piece to improve.

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