The Minnesota Wild officially lost one of the franchise’s veteran defenseman on Sunday.
Matt Dumba signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Coyotes, a move that continues a solid offseason for a team which could be sneaky good this coming season. He joins former Wild teammate, forwardJason Zucker, who signed a one-year contract with Arizona in July.
Coyotes have had a solid offseason. They’re gonna be a pain to play against. Imagine if they make the playoffs in Mullett. Press box may be in the parking lot https://t.co/AzAQio5AuV
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) August 6, 2023
Sunday’s news came just over three months since the free agent basically said good-bye to the team that he played for in his first decade in the NHL.
He was a leader on the ice as an alternative captain and also won the league’s King Clancy Trophy in 2020, which honors players for their leadership on the ince and also within the community.
“It’s pretty crazy to look back at it and see 10, 11 years just go by in a blink of an eye,” Dumba said during a year-end media availability session after the Wild were eliminated in the first round by the Dallas Stars. “I have so many friends here, put down some roots. It means a lot to me, how I was able to be in the community and try to use my platform for good and make a difference. It’s been just as fulfilling, if not more, for me. I love Minny.”
Dumba’s departure from a salary-cap strapped Wild franchise, and he signed a $3.9 million contract with the Coyotes, and could get a chance to hit the open market again next offseason if he does not sign an extension.
The 29-year-old, was selected seventh overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, and made his debut with the Wild on Oct 5, 2013. Dumba, a physical defenseman who also had a big slapshot, totaled 79 goals and 236 points in 598 games in his Minnesota career.
He had four goals and 14 points, both career lows, in 79 regular-season games this past year, both career lows.
Dumba’s move came hours after another former Wild player changed teams on Sunday.
Forward Mikael Granlund is headed to San Jose as part of a three-team deal in which defenseman Erik Karlsson, a three-time Norris Trophy winner, was moved from the Sharks to Pittsburgh.
Granlund spent the past season with both Nashville and the Penguins. He spent his first seven years in the league with the Wild and was traded to the Predators in February 2019 for Kevin Fiala.
Fiala was then traded to the Los Angeles Kings last offseason.