Minnesota May Have To Trade This Defenseman Thanks To Cap Issues

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Joshua Deeds
September 26, 2022 (9:52 PM)

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Matt Dumba is no stranger to trade rumors and this season has him feeling no different.

But thanks to Chuck Fletcher's past transgressions with the Ryan Suter-Zach Parise contract, they may have to move on from him.

In some troubling news, Bill Guerin has told the media that contract talks between the team and the veteran defenseman haven't begun:

«We haven't really talked,» Guerin said. «It's not something I think we really need to be distracted with right now. Matt's a big boy. I am, too. We both know our situation, but I think the most important thing is Matt has a clear head going into this year and just plays with no stress. I can't say that we're going to start talking or get a deal done.

«We, as an organization, are in a unique spot with our cap space situation, so it's hard to do certain things. But you never know.»

Dumba is currently in the last year of a five-year $30 million dollar contract, with 2022-2023's hit being $6 Million.

Dumba's issues have mainly been consistency and dealing with injuries this past season. This season Dumba played 57 games total and has had trouble reaching the peak of his play in 2017-2018.

Dumba has spent his entire career in Minnesota and has played 579 NHL games, with 75 goals and 147 goals for a total of 222 points.

It sounds like in the end, contract talks could begin after the end of the 2023-2024 season, as Guerin and Dumba take care of the business of getting back into contender status.

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