Matt Dumba Scratched as Trade Rumors Swirl

Trade rumors have swirled around Minnesota Wild defenseman, Matt Dumba, for years. Every trade deadline, every offseason, Dumba’s name is a main topic of conversation. But at this year’s trade deadline, with his free agency just months away, it feel different.

Time with Minnesota Wild is Ticking

Dumba. himself, even said as much when asked earlier this week about the likelihood he is traded in the next couple of weeks. The writing is clearly on the wall.

Has reality set in that this will be his swan song?

“I mean … yeah,” Dumba said somberly during an interview with The Athletic hours before the Wild’s 4-2 win over the Capitals. “I’m just making the absolute most of it and enjoying every day as a Minnesota Wild player and enjoying just the great group of guys that we have. This has given me a different appreciation of that. I’m trying to make the most of coming to the rink every day with these guys because you never know when things could change. I’m trying to stay in the moment, and that’s how I deal with it.”

Dumba says Wild general manager Bill Guerin has been honest with him and his agents that he could be traded in advance of the deadline. “It’s what I’d expect from a man like him,” Dumba said. “He’s always good to me, always honest.”

The Athletic

Matt Dumba Scratched

On Thursday, trade rumors that were already swirling around Matt Dumba picked up even more steam when head coach, Dean Evason, announced him as a healthy scratch vs the Carolina Hurricanes.

When asked why Dumba was sitting, Evason pointed to his defenseman’s recent play and denied that his benching on Thursday was anything to do with an imminent trade already in the works. It’s hard to question Dean’s explanation, especially given how poorly Dumba has played recently.

No effort here by Matt Dumba on Martin Fehérváry as he allows him to walk into the slot and score 1-0 #allcaps #mnwild pic.twitter.com/7wJgnEOCLp

— Alex Micheletti (@AlexMicheletti) January 18, 2023

Interested Teams Include Ottawa, Edmonton

In the end, it doesn’t matter why Matt Dumba is being benched tonight. Is Dumba sitting because he is about to be traded? Maybe, maybe not. But even if his benching is based on poor play, couldn’t you argue that his poor play has a lot to do with him knowing that his time in Minnesota is almost up?

Who cares, really? What’s clear is that Matt Dumba is on his way out. He knows it, Guerin knows it, we all know it. Reports (TSN) have surfaced saying there are teams interested in him, as well, including the Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers.

Dreger on Insider Trading says both the Sens and Oilers have reached out to the Wild about Matt Dumba. He's a pending UFA. Problem from Wild standpoint, they need him, they're playing pretty well right now, they're not sure they are ready to move on from Dumba.

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 11, 2023

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan