The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired veteran defenseman Matt Dumba from the Dallas Stars in a classic salary cap maneuver, sending minor-league blueliner Vladislav Kolyachonok the other way. The move primarily benefits cap-strapped Dallas, who attached a 2025 second-round pick just to offload Dumba’s $3.8 million cap hit.
What Dumba Brings to Pittsburgh
Once a 50-point defenseman (2017-18) and key offensive driver in Minnesota, the 30-year-old right-shot Dumba has seen his production plummet in recent years. After bouncing between Arizona, Tampa Bay, and Dallas since 2023, he managed just 1 goal and 9 assists in 61 games last season, averaging 15:18 of ice time before being scratched for Dallas’ entire playoff run.
However, the Penguins are betting on a low-risk redemption project. Dumba’s physicality, playoff experience (54 games), and right-handed shot could make him a trade deadline chip if he rebounds—similar to how Pittsburgh flipped Luke Schenn for picks last year.
Why Dallas Made the Move
The Stars, tight against the cap, couldn’t justify Dumba’s salary for fourth-pairing minutes. Shedding his contract gives them crucial flexibility, though paying a second-rounder to do so underscores how far his value has fallen.
Penguins’ Defensive Logjam
Pittsburgh’s blue line is now overloaded with right-shot defenders:
- Erik Karlsson
- Kris Letang
- Connor Clifton
- Prospect Harrison Brunicke
This suggests another move may be coming. For now, the Penguins—with ample cap space—see Dumba as a reclamation project who could either stabilize their third pairing or become trade bait.
Kolyachonok a Throw-In
The 23-year-old Kolyachonok, claimed off waivers last season, was expendable after posting uneven results in 12 NHL games. With Pittsburgh already signing Ryan Shea, Parker Wortherspoon, and Alexander Alexeyev as left-side depth, he faced an uphill battle to make the roster.
Pittsburgh’s Strategy: Collect Picks, Recycle Veterans
This trade follows the Penguins’ recent pattern of taking on unwanted contracts (e.g., Cody Glass, Kevin Hayes) in exchange for draft capital. While Dumba isn’t the player he once was, Pittsburgh hopes to either:
- Revive his value for a deadline trade, or
- Use his experience to mentor younger defenders.
Bottom Line
For Dallas, this is purely a cap-clearing move. For Pittsburgh, it’s a no-lose gamble—if Dumba flops, they still gain a second-rounder. If he rebounds, they could flip him for even more assets.
What’s Next? Keep an eye on Pittsburgh’s blue line—another trade to balance their righty-heavy defense seems likely.
