The Dallas Stars have traded defenseman Matt Dumba, along with a 2028 second-round draft pick, to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for fellow defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok, the teams revealed on Thursday. This decision marks a significant roster change for both teams.
Dumba, who is 30 years old, enters his second season of a two-year contract valued at $3.75 million per year. His performance, however, has been less than stellar, as he did not participate in any of the Dallas Stars’ 18 postseason games in 2025, reflecting a notable decline in alignment with his earlier successes. He recorded 10 points across 63 regular season games, averaging just over 15 minutes of play per match. His career peak came during the 2017-18 season when he achieved a remarkable 50 points, but in recent years, his performance has deteriorated.
The trade is advantageous for the Stars as it provides essential salary cap flexibility, an important consideration given their previous over-the-cap status. This move will potentially allow them more maneuverability in their roster management moving forward.
For the Penguins, acquiring Dumba adds depth to their defensive roster amid their ongoing rebuilding process, but his role may be uncertain. The team already has a strong right-side lineup with notable players like Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, and Connor Clifton. Interestingly, Karlsson was previously on the trading block, indicating that further moves could still be in the works as Pittsburgh aligns its roster for future seasons.
On the other hand, Kolyachonok, who was drafted in the second round by the Florida Panthers in 2019, has been accumulating experience across 74 NHL games. The 24-year-old brings additional depth to the Stars’ defense, demonstrating the team’s commitment to building a more robust lineup as they look to improve their standing.
Overall, this trade illustrates both teams’ strategies as they navigate their respective challenges. The Stars aim to enhance their cap structure while the Penguins continue to build for the future with a mix of experience and potential.