3 Potential Free-Agent Destinations for Matt Dumba

Matt Dumba will hit the free-agent market on July 1 after finishing the 2023-24 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts have already moved on and have informed Dumba they won't be making a contract offer.

Look for the veteran defenseman to try and land a multi-year deal come July 1 as he'll be interested in some stability and job security for the next two to three seasons.

Here's three potential destinations for Dumba this offseason:

Minnesota Wild

It could be a summer reunion for Dumba and the Wild. He'd have to settle for less money in Minny but if Bill Guerin offers him term, Dumba could be interested. The Wild have $14.7 million in dead cap space this summer and they need to find a creative way to upgrade their defense core. Filip Gustavsson is likely getting traded which should also open up so more cap space, which in turn could make room for adding Dumba. The right-handed blueliner spent parts of 10 seasons with the franchise and played his best hockey of his career with the Wild.

Winnipeg Jets

The Jets are going to refresh and re-tool this summer and a big area of turnover will be felt on their blue line. Dylan DeMelo and Brenden Dillon are pending free agents and the Jets will look to infuse some new talent, especially on the right-side of the defense core. Dumba's a perfect fit, he can kill penalties, loves to block shots and play a stay-at-home style. Playing in Winnipeg is as close to a home-coming as possible so it makes a lot of sense this summer.

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks are open to moving Filip Hronek and could in turn, add Dumba in July. They also have Tyler Myers who is a pending free agent so there's no doubt there could be some turnover coming in Vancouver. GM Patrik Allvin has $24 million in cap space to work with this offseason and so far all signs are pointing to Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm hitting free agency. More money to add depth, and Dumba could be on their radar.

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