One of the NHL’s Top Remaining Free Agents
The Coyotes’ busy offseason continued on Sunday with the signing of one of the NHL’s top remaining free agents.
Defenseman Matt Dumba is now off the market, having agreed to a one-year, $ 3.9 million contract with the Arizona Coyotes, as reported by Coyotes insider Craig Morgan.
Dumba recently wrapped up his least productive offensive season, netting just four goals and 14 points in 79 games for the Minnesota Wild, averaging 21:17 minutes on the ice per game.
At 29 years old, his value isn’t as high as it once was, but he still offers many advantages. He’s a right-handed defenseman under 30, capable of logging top-pair minutes, killing penalties, and stepping in on the power play when needed.
In recent years, the Wild utilized Dumba primarily in a defensive capacity, but Arizona might recognize more offensive potential in him. Although his goal count has dropped recently, he occasionally demonstrates impressive skills, and a new environment could benefit him after years of being at the center of trade speculation.
Dumba spent his entire 10-year career with Minnesota after being selected seventh overall in the 2012 draft. The Saskatchewan native is concluding a five-year, $ 30 million contract he signed with the Wild in 2018.
The Coyotes have had a busy offseason, especially after residents voted against their arena deal in Tempe in May, leading to uncertainty about the team’s long-term prospects.
On the ice, Arizona has made several noteworthy moves, including signing forwards Alex Kerfoot and Jason Zucker to short-term contracts. The team also signed Alex Galchenyuk but subsequently released him following an off-ice incident where he was arrested for a hit-and-run, disorderly conduct, failure to comply with law enforcement, resisting arrest, and making threats or intimidation.
In the 2022-23 season, the Coyotes finished seventh in the Central Division, accumulating 70 points.
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