Every season, Matt Dumba’s name is continually cycled in the trade rumors, but it’s clear he’s likely being traded this season.
The Wild staff was unhappy with Dumba’s performance during the 4-2 victory against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night. He had many turnovers and sloppy puck handling. He did have an assist but was only on the ice for about 30% of the game.
It was decided that Dumba would be a healthy scratch against the Carolina Hurricanes, which they lost 5-2. Dumba has not been a healthy scratch since April 5th, 2016. “It’s an organization decision. Here we are,” Dumba said in an interview with the Athletic.
“I guess the (Washington) game there were some plays in there. Wasn’t happy with them either. (I have) never not tried my hardest. Mistakes happen and I was pumped we got two points there. Some guys stepped up and played really well. That’s what a team does. Pulls each other up. We’re all not going to have it night to night. I guess maybe it wasn’t exactly one of my strong nights.”
Dumba revealed, in the same interview, that Guerin has been upfront with him and told him that his agent may trade him, and it could be before the March 3rd trade deadline. He said the fact that he could be traded is setting in, and he’s trying to make every moment count because he doesn’t know when it will be his last. “Yeah, it’s hard,” Dumba said Thursday to the Athletic.
“I try not to listen to anything. Still, it gets back to you one way or another. Yeah, just life. Struggle in life, everything that comes at you. I think everyone …”
“I think we all see it. We all have a vision of how our future’s gonna look. Never seems to go exactly that course. Right now, yeah, there’s ups and downs of it. Gonna work hard and try to get this in the direction I want it to go. But comes with it, there’s no straight line to success and happiness, f—ing your play. Like, it’s all s— you got to deal with and it’s how you handle it.”
Dumba has a long history with the Wild. He was drafted 7th overall by the Wild in 2012 and has played for them since 2013. Wherever he goes, he will be missed, but he will always be a big part of the Wild and their history.
