The Dallas Stars traded defenseman Matt Dumba and a 2028 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for fellow blue-liner Vladislav Kolyachonok, the teams announced Thursday.
Dumba is entering the second season of a two-year contract signed last summer that pays him $3.75 million annually. It proved to be a regrettable deal for reigning three-time general manager of the year Jim Nill, as Dumba was a healthy scratch for all 18 of Dallas' postseason games in 2025. He notched 10 points in 63 appearances during the regular season while averaging 15:18 per contest.
The 30-year-old enjoyed a career-high 50-point season in 2017-18, but his play has deteriorated in recent years.
Matt Dumba, traded to PIT, is a veteran depth defenceman who shoots the puck and plays with a bit of an edge. #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/uxhoyqHx1R
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 10, 2025
The move creates much-needed salary flexibility for the Stars, who were over the cap prior to the trade.
The Penguins, meanwhile, add to their cupboard of draft picks as they continue to rebuild. They have three second-round picks in 2026, two in 2027, and now two in 2028. They also made three first-round selections at this year's draft.
Dumba's path to playing time in Pittsburgh is murky with Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, and Connor Clifton projected to make up the right side of the Penguins' blue line. However, the Pens reportedly shopped Karlsson prior to the 2025 trade deadline and are expected to continue to do so this summer.
Kolyachonok was a second-round pick by the Florida Panthers in 2019. The 6-foot-2 left-shot defender has collected 14 points in 74 career NHL games split between the Arizona Coyotes, Utah Mammoth, and Penguins. The 24-year-old projects to provide depth on Dallas' blue line.
