NHL Rumors: Wild Don't Have Cap Space To Keep Dumba After 2022-23

The Minnesota Wild have a tough three seasons ahead of them as the buyout hits from Ryan Suter and Zach Parise total $12.74 million for 2022-23 and $14.74 million in 2023-24 and 2024-25. It already cost them Kevin Fiala as the team didn't have the cap space to sign him.

They are relying on players with lower cap hits to step up and the players already signed to carry the load. Seeing as one of the team's top defencemen, Matt Dumba, is entering the final year of his deal at $6 million, the Wild likely won't be able to bring him back. The 28-year-old is in the prime of his career and will pursue $6 million AAV or higher for a longer-term deal.

Michael Russo of The Athletic said, "Minnesota's cap squeeze may make it impossible to re-sign Matt Dumba after this season." The Wild already have Jared Spurgeon signed for five more seasons at $7.575 million AAV and Jonas Brodin signed for six more seasons at $6 million AAV.

Carrying a dead cap of $12-15 million puts the Wild at a huge disadvantage. That money would allow the team to carry 2-3 very good players, but instead, they will have to manage through tough times. With the Wild likely not being able to pay Dumba what he is looking for, the market for defencemen is always fairly good for the players.