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The Arizona Coyotes have signed Matt Dumba to a 1-year, $4 million contract. The signing marks the 28-year-old proper defenseman’s departure from the Minnesota Wild. Last season, Dumba scored simply 4 objectives and 10 assists for 14 factors in 79 video games. The 14 factors have been the bottom offensive manufacturing of his profession, except for the 2013-14 season when he performed simply 13 video games as a rookie. Despite the decline in offense, Dumba brings the Coyotes a defenseman who can eat up minutes and can slide into the highest 4 of their defensive pairings.
Originally drafted by the Wild within the first spherical, seventh total on the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Dumba spent the primary 10 seasons of his NHL profession in Minnesota. In 598 video games performed for the membership, he had 79 objectives and 159 assists for 238 factors. He additionally was an alternate captain for the membership through the previous two seasons and can carry some management qualities into the Coyotes lineup. Dumba possesses good skating potential in addition to a powerful slapshot from the purpose. Expect him to be part of the power-play unit and regain a few of his offensive type in Arizona.
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During the 2017-18 season, it appeared that Dumba was on his method to turning into a probably elite offensive defenseman as he posted a career-high 50 factors with 14 objectives and 36 assists in 82 video games. However, plainly Dumba peaked at an early age throughout that season, as his offensive numbers have been in decline ever since. Last season, he performed with extra of an edge to his sport and picked up a career-high 81 penalty minutes.
Dumba’s Departure Leaves Void On Wild’s Blue Line
The Wild’s incapacity to re-sign Dumba can have a long-lasting impact on their roster, as they’re left with a void within the high two defensive pairings that they are going to unlikely find a way to fill from inside. Expect the Wild to handle the wants with a signing of their very own because the offseason progresses. Although the Wild’s cap area restricted them from bringing Dumba again into the fold, they need to find a way to discover an enough substitute for a way more team-friendly value than the previous was commanding.
Brock Faber performed effectively by his small pattern dimension on the finish of the season and into the playoffs. However, it stays to be seen if he can constantly present the Wild with top-four minutes. The lack of Dumba additionally stings from a management perspective as they lose considered one of their alternate captains. As a member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, he has been closely concerned in trying to eradicate systematic racism and intolerance in hockey. While working with the Wild neighborhood, he envisioned making a hockey camp that targeted on range, and on Feb. 26, 2021, his imaginative and prescient turned a actuality with the Hockey Without Limits Camp. The camp hosted 120 younger hockey gamers of varied ethnicities.
Fit with the Coyotes
Despite his drop-off in offensive manufacturing, at simply 28 years outdated, Dumba nonetheless has loads to provide a younger Coyotes group. While averaging 20:37 in ice time over his profession, he’ll slot into their high two defensive pairings. He additionally brings a heavy shot that may be utilized on the facility play.
Defensively, Dumba, at instances, may be responsible of some questionable turnovers. However, his willingness to block photographs and play with a stage of physicality has made him one of many high out there proper defensemen out there this summer season. With the much-needed assistance on the blue line and the management qualities he’ll carry, this was a powerful signing by the Coyotes.
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