Coyotes Rumors: Failed Signing Matt Dumba Could Be Traded

The Arizona Coyotes made a lot of moves this past offseason to try to finally get into contention. It has worked to an extent. They aren't a top team yet, but are on the right track. They are currently tied in points with the Nashville Predators for the final Wildcard spot in the Western Conference and are 10-9-2.

Among the free agent signings and moves, there was one clear failure so far this season, Matt Dumba. The Athletic listed him as a name on their top-25 trade candidates at this point in the season. After all of his injuries, he just hasn't been the same player he was when he came into the NHL. His points dropped off and the Coyotes took a chance on a potential top-four right-shot defender on a one-year deal. It hasn't turned out the way they would like thus far.

While Dumba has played on the power play in the past, that isn't his role on the Coyotes. He was more meant to be a solid defender and a leader. Well, his analytics are very poor in comparison to the rest of the team. Of the eight defenders who have played at least five games, Dumba ranks sixth in Corsi for percentage (44.28), seventh in Fenwick for percentage (43.88), sixth in shots for percentage (44.19), seventh in goals for percentage (41.94) with the most goals against while on the ice among defensemen with 18 at five-on-five, sixth in expected goals for percentage (46.73), and seventh in scoring chances for percentage (42.77).

Dumba plays over 20 minutes a night, but that's due to the lack of talent or experience on the back-end. If they can move some of his $3.9 million AAV and get a better replacement for cheaper, they should do it. The team has tons of draft picks and using a later round pick to make this move isn't a bad decision.