Insider: Coyotes "Committed" To Moving Matt Dumba; Links Him To Canadian Team

The Arizona Coyotes are hitting rock bottom with just over a week left until the trade deadline. After their 14th consecutive loss Thursday night, is it possible that Yotes defenseman Matt Dumba could be headed to the team that beat them, the Toronto Maple Leafs?

According to hockey insider Chris Johnson, appearing on TSN's Insider Trading segment, he feels that the Coyotes have definitely made up their mind on what to do with the impending UFA:

I do think Arizona is committed to moving on from him... He is a player that makes sense for the Maple Leafs. 

Dumba was used for his highest time on ice in over two months against the Leafs Thursday night, perhaps as a little showcase from the Yotes. But ironically, during that game, Toronto GM Brad Treliving actually consummated a trade for another right-shot D, securing Ilya Lyubushkin from the Anaheim Ducks. Does that prevent them from going after Dumba as well? That is still unclear. The Leafs also have other needs. But the ask of a first-round pick for Dumba might not move the needle on a trade for Arizona—with Toronto or anyone else. 

Johnson still feels there's a deal to be done for the Coyotes, as they supposedly wanted a high pick for Nick Bjugstad last year at the deadline, but wound up sending him to Edmonton for a young player that they liked instead. "Maybe that's the path for a Dumba trade if a first-rounder doesn't materialize for the Coyotes," says Johnson. 

What we do know is that the Leafs made an honest effort to bring Dumba in as a free agent last summer. He told us himself: 

Matt Dumba says, yes, the Toronto Maple Leafs were one of several teams that expressed interest in him during free agency.

That he already owned an investment home in Arizona played into his decision to sign with the Coyotes.

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) February 29, 2024

Dumba has had a less-than-impressive season in the desert, with a plus-minus rating of -14, with nine points in 55 games. He is throwing his weight around, however, as he's already registered a career-high 144 hits, with 25 games still to add to that total. 

Again, the Leafs have always wanted to add a couple of solid, physical backliners as the season has gone along, so there could still be room for him if Treliving is so inclined—if the price comes down. 

Photo: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports