NHL Trade Rumors: Penguins fleece Stars in Matt Dumba deal, land 2028 draft pick in salary dump move

Time of India

12-07-2025

Penguins fleece Stars in Matt Dumba trade to secure 2028 draft pick (Getty Images)
The Dallas Stars have traded defenseman Matt Dumba and a 2028 second-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok. This move helps the Stars manage their salary cap, acquiring a younger player.
The Penguins gain a veteran blueliner and a valuable future draft asset.
Penguins fleece Stars in
Matt Dumba trade
to secure
2028 draft pick
In the unpredictable world of professional hockey, team executives often play a high-stakes game of chess, intriguing players and draft picks to gain an advantage. Recently, as the Dallas Stars decided to part ways with seasoned defenseman Matt Dumba, along with a 2028 second-round draft selection, a notable swap occurred, sending them to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In return, Dallas welcomed younger blueliner Vladislav Kolyachonok into their ranks.
This strategic exchange appears to be a clear move by the Stars to soothe some financial burden. Dumba, currently in the final year of a substantial two-season agreement, carried a significant financial commitment. The Stars were evidently "eager to rid themselves of the veteran defenseman's contract," especially given their 'win-now mode' and need for cap relief.
On the other side of the ledger, Pittsburgh's general manager, Kyle Dubas, is proving himself a shrewd operator. He "sure knows how to take advantage of teams when they're dealing with salary-cap issues." By taking on Dumba's remaining contract, the Penguins secured a crucial long-term asset in the 2028 second-round pick, even with his 'declined' performance in recent seasons.
This aligns with Dubas's detectable pattern of acquiring future draft capital by accommodating other teams' salary constraints.
As the commentary noted, "With all due respect to Dumba, this is all about the second-round pick." This mirrors past moves where Dubas embraced what "some deem as bad contracts in the short term to add solid future assets," like the accession of Kevin Hayes and Cody Glass.
For the Penguins, Dumba's arrival offers immediate defensive depth, particularly if they proceed with potential trades involving other key defensemen.
While Dumba 'might not be the player he once was,' he remains 'a reasonably solid NHL player' whose presence can only aid a defensive corps currently enduring struggles.
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Furthermore, should the team face difficulties this season, Dumba could become "another asset that could be flipped," providing further flexibility. Meanwhile, Dallas integrates Kolyachonok, a potential talent claimed by Pittsburgh earlier on waivers, now offered with an opportunity to grow within a new system.
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