NHL Trade Deadline: Matt Dumba tops list of available defensemen
We continue our expanded coverage of the NHL Trade Deadline with a list of top defenders that are rumored to be available. When it comes to defenseman there is none better than Minnesota’s Matt Dumba. However, there’s plenty that will be up for grabs and a few others that could turn the market on its head if they were put on the table.
Matt Dumba
51 Games: 3G, 13A – 25 years old – $6M AAV – UFA 2023
The Wild are said to be ready to enter rebuild mode, which should be centered around a defenseman like Dumba. However, trading him before his modified NTC kicks in 2021 would make sense and also kick start the effort. Right handed first pair defenseman with 50 point ability is hard to come by.
Shayne Gostibehere
40 Games: 5G, 18A – 27 years old – $4.5M AAV – UFA 2023
So Ghost is struggling in Philly, of that there’s no doubt. He is still young and scored a whopping 65 points two seasons ago. The left handed defenseman can help many teams including the Winnipeg Jets. The Flyers could use some more offensive scoring up front, but moving him for prospects could help with their cap situation.
Sami Vatanen
47 Games: 5G, 13A – 28 years old – $4.85M AAV – UFA 2020
The Devils are going nowhere and Vatanen is likely not going to re-up with them this summer. He is an absolute rental and the type of defenseman teams look for to bolster the blueline for a playoff run. As a rental he could fetch NJ a conditional pick and a prospect.
Alec Martinez
35 Games: 1G, 7A – 32 years old – $4M AAV – UFA 2021
L.A. already tried moving him and rumor mill has him available again. The Kings may need to eat some of his salary in a deal with some contenders near the cap ceiling, but can expect at least a 2nd rounder for a solid defender with Stanley Cup winning experience.
Brenden Dillon
53 Games: 1G, 12A – 29 years old – $3.27M AAV – UFA 2020
Sharks are done and need to rebuild, end of story, Dillon is a big blue-liner who is a cheap rental and could fetch them a 3rd round draft pick. Teams that miss out on Vatanen and Martinez will look here for help.
What If?
There is one RFA on defense that could turn the market on its head if he was made available. Tony DeAngelo is on fire with 40 points in 51 games. Should the Rangers choose to take offers on him, they could get a windfall. Let’s just say that I doubt they will consider trading him, but concerns about what he will command this summer have raised the possibility.
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