In a transaction that shuffles defensive decks and juggles salary cap figures, the Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins have completed a trade. The Stars are sending veteran defenseman **Matt Dumba** and a second-round selection in the 2028 NHL Entry Draft to Pittsburgh. In return, Dallas receives defenseman **Vladislav Kolyachonok**.
This move sees the 30-year-old Dumba joining his fourth NHL team in just two years, following a long tenure with the Minnesota Wild where he spent a decade. His recent stops included stints with Arizona and Tampa Bay before landing in Dallas. Last season with the Stars, Dumba registered one goal and nine assists over 63 regular-season contests. He did not feature in the team`s playoff games. Throughout his 737-game career, Dumba has accumulated 84 goals and 174 assists for 258 points.
Dumba is currently in the final year of a two-year contract that carries a $3.75 million cap hit for the upcoming season. For the Penguins, acquiring Dumba brings a right-shot defenseman with significant NHL experience, albeit one whose recent offensive production has been modest. The added 2028 second-round pick provides Pittsburgh with a valuable asset for future team building.
Coming to Dallas is the younger Kolyachonok. At 24 years old, he is a left-shot defenseman who was claimed on waivers by Pittsburgh from the Utah organization (formerly Arizona Coyotes) in February. Between his time with both clubs last season, Kolyachonok appeared in 35 games, recording two goals and five assists. His career totals across 74 NHL games stand at four goals and 14 assists.
From Dallas`s perspective, the acquisition of Kolyachonok appears primarily driven by financial strategy. He has one year remaining on his contract at a significantly lower cap hit of $775,000 compared to Dumba`s $3.75 million. This difference provides the Stars with substantial **cap relief**, a precious commodity in the tight-checking world of NHL finances. While Kolyachonok offers less proven NHL experience than Dumba, his lower salary figure offers the Stars crucial flexibility as they manage their roster under the salary cap ceiling.
In essence, this trade represents a classic exchange: the Penguins gain a more experienced defenseman and a future draft asset, taking on a larger contract. The Stars, on the other hand, shed salary cap commitments, acquiring a younger player with potential at a much more favorable financial figure. It`s a transaction where immediate on-ice impact is balanced against the long-term implications of roster construction and fiscal responsibility.
