Defender Dumba gets 5-year, $30M deal from Minnesota
A breakout performance like the one Minnesota Wild defenceman Matt Dumba concocted last season was significant in more ways than one.
It confirmed his reputation as a mobile, two-way presence who can ignite offence, patrol the point on the power play and log heavy minutes that require a cleaner impact in his own zone.
Fulfilling these responsibilities better than he ever had in his National Hockey League career also positioned the right-shot defender for a sizable raise on the brink of restricted free agency.
That’s exactly what Dumba secured when he signed a fiveyear, $30-million contract Saturday to avoid arbitration, but a commitment of that magnitude also highlights the potential the team believes the 23-year-old still has — growth that Dumba is eager to achieve to help catapult the Wild deep into the playoffs after they’ve stumbled the past few seasons.
“I hope I’m just scratching the surface,” Dumba said. “That’s why we sought after a deal like this. Same with Minnesota. I’m very confident in myself.”
A long-term deal suited Dumba, who’s familiar with the team and considers Minnesota home after five seasons. He called the decision, “a no-brainer” for him.
“I’m very appreciative and happy that I’m going to be in the State of Hockey for five more years,” said Dumba, who was on the golf course in Kelowna, B.C., when he heard of an agreement.
Re-signing Dumba for that long and before arbitration also made sense for the Wild considering his most recent season.
He racked up career-highs in goals (14), assists (36) and points (50) while appearing in all 82 regular-season games and five playoff contests.
Dumba was plus-15, chipped in four game-winners and averaged more ice time than he ever had at 23 minutes, 49 seconds.
His four-point game March 29 against the Stars set a franchise record for most points in a game by a defenceman, and Dumba’s total output finished third-best in team history among blue liners.
It’s possible he would have received an extremely favourable result in arbitration and if the Wild opted for a short-term contract, the price tag for his next deal could have soared if Dumba continued to produce at this pace.
And considering he’s still in his early 20s, that evolution is feasible.
Overall, Dumba has 128 points in 310 games since getting drafted seventh overall in 2012.
He’s registered double digits in goals in three straight seasons all before turning 24, a feat also accomplished by the likes of Aaron Ekblad, Dion Phaneuf and Drew Doughty.
Dumba is one of 14 defencemen since ’05-06 to score at least 10 goals in two seasons before 24.
“When you look at it in that light and you’re seeing him going forward as possibly getting better, then it certainly made sense for us to go to the term that we did,” general manager Paul Fenton said.