In a transaction finalized on July 10th, 2025, the Dallas Stars have reshaped their defensive corps by trading veteran defenseman Matt Dumba and a second-round selection in the 2028 NHL Entry Draft to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Coming to Dallas in return is defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok.
The departure marks Matt Dumba`s latest stop in what has become a rather nomadic journey over the past couple of years. After spending a decade with the Minnesota Wild, Dumba is now set to join his fourth different franchise since 2023. The 30-year-old blueliner arrived in Dallas on a two-year contract carrying a significant cap hit, and he is now entering the final season of that deal.
Last season with the Stars, Dumba registered one goal and nine assists for 10 points over 63 regular-season contests. Notably, he did not feature in the team`s playoff lineup. Over his 737-game career, which began after being selected seventh overall in the 2012 draft, Dumba has accumulated 258 points (84 goals, 174 assists) playing for Minnesota, Arizona, Tampa Bay, and Dallas.
On the incoming side, Vladislav Kolyachonok represents a younger profile. The 24-year-old defenseman arrived in Pittsburgh via a rather less glamorous route, having been claimed off waivers in February from the team formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes (now based in Utah). Between his two organizations last season, Kolyachonok appeared in 35 games, contributing two goals and five assists.
The Belarusian defender has played 74 career NHL games, tallying four goals and 14 assists for 18 points. Crucially for Dallas, Kolyachonok comes with a substantially lower financial commitment. He has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $775,000, providing significant cap relief compared to Dumba`s $3.75 million figure.
From the Dallas perspective, this trade appears to be primarily driven by salary cap management and a strategic roster adjustment. Shedding Dumba`s cap hit frees up valuable space that can be utilized elsewhere, whether for future signings or in potential trades. Acquiring Kolyachonok provides a cost-controlled depth option with potential upside, though giving up a future second-round pick indicates the cost required to facilitate the cap space element of the deal.
For Pittsburgh, the acquisition of Dumba brings a veteran defenseman with playoff experience (albeit not recently) and a physical dimension to their blue line. They are banking on Dumba finding a more impactful role than he had in Dallas. The cost for Pittsburgh includes a young, inexpensive defenseman and a relatively high draft pick in the distant future (2028).
In essence, this transaction is a calculated move by both clubs – Dallas prioritizing financial flexibility and a lower-cost player, while Pittsburgh opts for veteran presence and a specific defensive profile. The true impact of the trade, particularly for Dallas and their newfound cap space, will unfold over the coming months and years.
