The Rat Trick
Fansided

Realistic, Logical, Ambitious Part 2: Three Trade Targets for FLA

By Cal Friedman

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 14: Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers defends a shot on goal by Adam Lowry #17 of the Winnipeg Jets during the second period at BB&T Center on November 14, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 14: Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers defends a shot on goal by Adam Lowry #17 of the Winnipeg Jets during the second period at BB&T Center on November 14, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next

Ambitious: Matt Dumba (25, D, Minnesota Wild)

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 21: Matt Dumba #24 of the Minnesota Wild celebrates his goal along with Justin Fontaine #14 at 3:25 of the first period against the Chicago at the TCF Bank Stadium during the 2016 Coors Light Stadium Series game on February 21, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 21: Matt Dumba #24 of the Minnesota Wild celebrates his goal along with Justin Fontaine #14 at 3:25 of the first period against the Chicago at the TCF Bank Stadium during the 2016 Coors Light Stadium Series game on February 21, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The state of Matt Dumba’s future in the State of Hockey, despite being locked into a lengthy extension, is still in the air. Dumba’s relationship with the Minnesota Wild has been anything but quiet, with the defenseman yet again linked out of Minnesota in the recent days.

Dumba’s time in Minnesota has been fantastic on the ice. Despite his season being trimmed down due to injury last year, Dumba will likely play his 400th game for the Wild this coming weekend against San Jose, with 170 points and a +28 rating in his first 399. While he’s been unable to take the spotlight off of Ryan Suter on the blue line, he’s been a quality first-round selection.

For whatever reason, Dumba seems to continuously be dangled by Minnesota’s front office. He was even exposed in the Vegas expansion draft after a career year, forcing the Wild to regrettably give up Alex Tuch to persuade the Golden Knights to select Erik Haula instead.

Minnesota continuously struggle to really form an identity for themselves. When they’ve contended, the Wild have still been a few pieces away, not making it past the second round in the last decade. Now, while trying to rebuild, the Wild are still somehow in playoff contention.

With Wild HC Bruce Boudreau released after Thursday’s shootout loss to the New York Rangers, the course for this team is still up in the air. If there was a time to move on from Dumba, it’s now.

If the Panthers could somehow pull this trade off, it would be a franchise-changing move. Dumba would be an exceptional defenseman in the Panthers’ defensive zone, instantly becoming one of the best defensive presence upon arrival.

dark. Next. Should FLA Move Hoffman for Defensive Help?

Don’t forget to tune in to watch the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers at 4 P.M. sharp, as the Cats look to bounce back after suffering an ugly defeat to the Flyers. 

Home/Editorials