Colorado Avalanche Could Trade for Matt Dumba

Though the two teams are rivals, the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild could pull the trigger on a trade that would bring Matt Dumba to the Avs.

As a Colorado Avalanche fan, I don’t like anything about the Minnesota Wild, most especially defenseman Mathew Dumba. Indeed, among a certain set in Avs Nation, we love to make fun of his name. The most obvious is calling him Matt Dumbo. However, add a double “s” to the end of his last name to get an even more amusing chirp.

However, that doesn’t change the fact that Matt Dumba is a pretty good defenseman. And the Colorado Avalanche need a pretty good defenseman.

About Matt Dumba

Position: Defenseman
2016-17 Stats: 76 games, 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists), +15
Experience: 3 1/5 years (22 years old)
Height: 6′0″
Weight: 183 lbs
Shoots: Right

Matt Dumba is kind of an exciting player. The Hockey News scouts him as having “electric skating ability” augmented by “a very aggressive approach to the game.” That second aspect is probably part of the reason I hate him so much as a Colorado Avalanche fan.

Plus there’s those open ice hits:

Ok, it’s pretty cool that he hit Patrick Kane that way. Points for that.

Dumba showcases good puck control and apparently he can score. Last season he potted in 11 goals, and overall he has 30 goals in 228 career games. He’s also good on the rush, which has helped him make a few plays, too.

Here’s a nice wrister he made against the St. Louis Blues:

As is common with defensemen, Matt Dumba has a good shot from the point. He can also log some big minutes — last season he averaged just over 20 minutes per game.

One thing the Hockey News points out is that Dumba needs to control his game more. That definitely shows in his giveaways. Last season he was a -25 for turnovers, meaning he turned the puck over 25 more times than he took it away.

The site also reckons Dumba needs to bulk up a little. Now, a lithe frame is ideal for a fast skater. However, he plays a physical style, so some extra muscle could come in handy.

How Matt Dumba Fits with the Colorado Avalanche

Matt Dumba’s electric skating fits in very well with the Colorado Avalanche’s commitment to speed. He’s a good puck-moving defenseman who can even score or set up plays.

He’s got an edge to his play, and that’s something the team needs. As the team currently stands, Colorado doesn’t have a nasty blueliner unless you count Francois Beauchemin — and we’re all hoping we don’t have to cound Beauchemin next year.

Here’s the thing — Dumba is a right hand shot. Normally that’s a selling point for teams. However, Colorado’s top two defensemen — Erik Johnson and Tyson Barrie — are also righties. So, that’s awkward. Neither one is leaving the team anytime soon. (I don’t think so anyway — Barrie is ever the center of trade rumors.)

So, where would you put Dumba if he was on the team? You don’t necessarily have to pair a righty with a lefty. With his electric skating and gritty edge, he would do well paired with either Johnson or Barrie. He should definitely see time on the power play as well.

Price for Matt Dumba

If the Colorado Avalanche ever do make a trade with the Minnesota Wild — whether it’s for Dumba or another player — they must do their best to

screw the Wild over

win the trade. This is the closest thing we have to a rival these days.

More from Mile High Sticking

This article was inspired by a post I wrote recently about whether the Wild trading for the Dallas Stars’ draft pick could impact the Avs — Dallas has the #3 pick. Vincent Trombley of The Hockey Writers posed that they’d give up a defenseman such as Matt Dumba for that pick — Minny traded away both their first (Martin Hanzal) and second (Chris Stewart) draft picks for this year.

It’s conceivable the Wild would trade Matt Dumba for the Avalanche’s fourth-overall pick. However, is that a trade Colorado would want to make?

To consider it, you’d have to imagine what Colorado would get with that fourth-overall. They could get the top defensive prospect in this year’s draft class, be in Miro Heiskenan (if Dallas doesn’t snap him up) or Timothy Liljegren.

However, defensemen take time to develop. Dumba is already NHL-ready and barely striding into his prime.

Of course, the Avalanche could also pick up a solid forward, one that might even contribute to the team next season. However, it would be at least a year or two before said forward was ready for top-six play.

I don’t love giving up the fourth-overall for Matt Dumba. I’d rather a second round pick and a prospect, maybe even

A.J. Greer

J.C.Beaudin

A.J. Greer.

Ugh, ok, A.J. Greer and the second rounder for Matt Dumba. Because Colorado could pick up a nice forward in the first round to replace Greer.

Next: Best Expansion Draft Scenario for the Avs

What do you think, Avs Nation? Should the Colorado Avalanche try trading for Matt Dumba?

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