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'Proceeding As Planned': Analysts Reveal What the Matt Dumba Trade Really Means for the Penguins
Photo credit: New Haven Register
Penguins analyst Hunter Hodies of The Hockey News believes that Pittsburgh's rebuilding process is going as planned, especially after general manager Kyle Dubas acquired defenseman Matt Dumba from the Dallas Stars.
The Pittsburgh Penguins brought another right-handed defenseman into the fold, as general manager Kyle Dubas acquired Matt Dumba from the Dallas Stars for prospect Vladislav Kolyachonok.
The Penguins, who have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of the last 3 years, are hoping to try and maximize the time in the careers that is left for franchise icons Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin.
The acquisition of Dumba is also the latest limited commitment the Penguins have gotten into, as he only has a single year left on his contract, as do many current players on the team.
Penguins analyst Hunter Hodies of The Hockey News believes that this is all going to plan for Dubas in his rebuilding of the club, especially because Dumba and others with provisional contracts could be moved to acquire additional assets later on.
The Dumba deal isn't a trade that will "wow" anyone, but it provides the Penguins with another body for the right side of their defense and a good future asset that they don't necessarily have to retain. They are also set up to gain more future assets at next year's deadline, as Dumba is one of several players who don't have a contract beyond this season, including Connor Clifton, Kevin Hayes, Anthony Mantha, Blake Lizotte, Noel Acciari, Connor Dewar, and Danton Heinen. In other words, the rebuild is proceeding as planned.
The Penguins have already made a major change in leadership, removing head coach Mike Sullivan and replacing him with former New York Rangers assistant Dan Muse; former Penguins Stanley Cup winner Nick Bonino has also joined his staff as an assistant coach.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 11 | 134 ANSWERS 'Proceeding As Planned': Analysts Reveal What the Matt Dumba Trade Really Means for the Penguins Will the Penguins flip Matt Dumba at the Trade Deadline in 2026? | ||
| Yes | 108 | 80.6 % |
| No | 26 | 19.4 % |
| List of polls | ||