The Minnesota Wild, in their most recent pre-season outing changed things up on the first pairing. Matt Dumba stepped up alongside the returning Ryan Super for a different defensive look.
The riches that the Minnesota Wild have, at least between having the option to interchange Mathew Dumba and Jared Spurgeon alongside Ryan Suter, are enviable.
Ryan Suter, for now, remains the bonafide number one defenseman for the Minnesota Wild. Until their most recent game, Jaded Spurgeon was always seen as his number two and always somewhat undervalued in that role.
Against the Winnipeg Jets, Matt Dumba took on a much larger load than usual. If him and Suter mesh well, this is great news for the Minnesota Wild. That’s 100-plus points that pairing alone could be offering, especially partnered with the first and second line, no doubt.
Bruce Boudreau, speaking with the Minnesota Star Tribune was certainly pleased with what he saw:
"It seemed like the more ice time Dumba played when he was with Suter, the better he played. – Bruce Boudreau (Minnesota Star Tribune)"
Now, I can see value in stacking one unit and then throwing it out there for twenty-five odd minutes a night, but these are both guys that offer value on the powerplay. We could be looking at thirty minute nights.
Ryan Suter has proven in the past that age may be catching up a little injury-wise and Matt Dumba has never quite been tested with so much responsibility.
I’d prefer that Jared Spurgeon wait on the wings with his potential partner, Jonas Brodin; ready to step in if the additional assignments break either player. That’s not say they will, but I’m a little wary.
Should, however, it all go well for the Minnesota Wild with these tweaks to the line-up, it certainly looks to be a master-stroke. One that couldn’t quite have happened without injuries in the first place!
I called Dumba elite or nearly there, at the very least, a while back, maybe it’s this new pairing with Ryan Suter that can finally push him over the line.
That’ll certainly be the hope for the Minnesota Wild.