The Dallas Stars have officially traded defenseman Matt Dumba and their 2028 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok, as reported by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. This strategic move aims to position the Stars as compliant under the salary cap for the 2025-26 season. If Kolyachonok is included in the opening night roster, his cost of $775,000 will be significantly less than Dumba’s cap hit of $3.75 million, resulting in a $2.975 million savings for the team.
Dumba was originally signed by the Stars to a two-year, $7.5 million contract last summer, but the decision was met with skepticism after a disappointing prior season in which he had only 12 points and a -18 rating across 76 games. Unfortunately, these concerns proved valid, as Dumba struggled during his tenure, averaging only 15:18 in ice time per game with a stats line of 1-9-10 and a -5 rating last season. This resulted in him being a healthy scratch throughout the playoffs.
Dumba’s notable past includes a promising early career with the Minnesota Wild, where he was drafted seventh overall in 2012 and once finished 19th among defensemen in league scoring during the 2017-18 season. However, following a series of underwhelming seasons, his performance declined sharply, affecting his market value.
In contrast, Kolyachonok, who was drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 2019 draft, could provide a fresh start for the Stars and a chance to solidify their defensive roster while also shedding a hefty cap commitment. The hope is Kolyachonok can bring a more promising upside as Dallas looks to rebound from their recent challenges.
This trade showcases the Stars’ proactive approach to financial management while seeking improvements for their squad, which bodes well for their future prospects.