Assessing the Penguins and Stars' Matt Dumba Trade: An In-Depth Evaluation of the Deal.
  • 239 views
  • 2 min read

The Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins recently completed a trade involving defensemen, with Matt Dumba and a 2028 second-round pick heading to Pittsburgh in exchange for Vladislav Kolyachonok. Here's a breakdown of the trade and a look at how each team fares:

Pittsburgh Penguins:

  • Acquired: Matt Dumba, 2028 second-round pick
  • Grade: B+

The Penguins acquire a veteran defenseman in Dumba, who, at 30 years old, brings a wealth of experience to their blue line. Dumba has played in 737 regular-season games, amassing 84 goals and 174 assists. While his offensive production has declined in recent years, he had a career-high 50-point season in 2017-18. The Penguins are hoping he can regain some of that form and provide a boost to their offense from the back end. Dumba's contract has one year remaining at a $3.75 million average annual value.

Beyond his on-ice contributions, Dumba has a reputation as a strong leader and a positive influence in the locker room. This could be valuable for a Penguins team looking to integrate younger players and maintain a competitive environment. The addition of a second-round pick in 2028 also adds to the Penguins' future assets.

Dallas Stars:

  • Acquired: Vladislav Kolyachonok
  • Grade: C+

The Stars receive Vladislav Kolyachonok, a 24-year-old defenseman with potential. Kolyachonok has one season remaining on his two-year contract. He split last season between the Penguins and the Utah Mammoth, recording two goals and five assists in 35 games.

This move appears to be primarily a salary dump for the Stars, who were looking to shed Dumba's $3.75 million cap hit. Dumba was a healthy scratch for all of Dallas' postseason games in 2025, indicating that he wasn't a key part of their plans. By trading him, the Stars gain some much-needed cap flexibility.

Kolyachonok is a decent skater and has shown flashes of offensive ability, but he's still relatively unproven at the NHL level. He'll have an opportunity to compete for a regular role on the Stars' blue line, but his long-term potential remains uncertain.

Overall Assessment:

This trade appears to be a win-win for both teams, albeit for different reasons. The Penguins get a veteran defenseman with leadership qualities and add a draft pick, while the Stars free up cap space and acquire a younger player with some potential. Whether Dumba can revitalize his career in Pittsburgh and whether Kolyachonok can develop into a reliable NHL defenseman will determine the long-term success of this trade for each team.


Writer - Kavya Iyer
With an enthusiastic and observant eye, Kavya is passionate about the intersection of arts, culture, social trends, and sports. She's keen on exploring her city's evolving cultural landscape, covering local artistic expressions, music scenes, and community events, while also following the latest in the sports world. Kavya is developing her writing style to capture the vibrancy and nuances of the cultural sphere, aiming to connect artists with a wider audience and analyze the societal reflections within their work.
Advertisement

Latest Post


Ben Stokes' sudden retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket in 2022 sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, prompting strong reactions and raising concerns about the future of the format. Among those taken aback was former Indian coa...
  • 309 views
  • 3 min

Tottenham Hotspur has officially announced the signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United. The 24-year-old Ghanaian international has agreed to a six-year contract with the North London club, marking one of the most exciting acquisitions of the s...
  • 302 views
  • 2 min

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the San Jose Sharks completed a trade on Thursday, July 10, 2025, sending veteran forward Ryan Reaves to San Jose in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun. Thrun, a 24-year-old defenseman, had 12 points (two goals, 10 assis...
  • 530 views
  • 2 min

Wiaan Mulder's recent decision to declare South Africa's innings at 626/5, while he was batting at an unbeaten 367, has stirred a significant debate in the cricket world. Mulder's score is the highest ever by a South African batter in Tests, surpassi...
  • 495 views
  • 2 min

Advertisement
In a moment of sheer drama at Euro 2025, Riola Xhemaili's injury-time equalizer secured a 1-1 draw for Switzerland against Finland, propelling the host nation into the quarter-finals and crushing Finnish hearts. The Swiss needed only a point to advan...
  • 278 views
  • 2 min

Riola Xhemaili's last-gasp goal secured a 1-1 draw for Switzerland against Finland, sending the host nation through to the quarter-finals of the Women's Euro 2025. The late equalizer sparked celebrations among the Swiss supporters while simultaneousl...
  • 222 views
  • 2 min

Upper Deck has launched a new line of trading cards that merges the worlds of hockey and DC Super Heroes. The collection, titled 2025 DC Fanimation Crossover, is available for a limited time exclusively through the Upper Deck e-Pack online platform. ...
  • 440 views
  • 2 min

The Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins recently completed a trade involving defensemen, with Matt Dumba and a 2028 second-round pick heading to Pittsburgh in exchange for Vladislav Kolyachonok. Here's a breakdown of the trade and a look at how each...
  • 238 views
  • 2 min

Advertisement
About   •   Terms   •   Privacy
© 2025 SportsBuzz360