Observations:

April 2016 – Dumba looked more comfortable than he did in the playoffs last year but even so, his ice time didn’t reflect it. He finished with two helpers and six PIMs through six games with the Stars. More playing time would’ve been good but in this case coach Torchetti’s sheltering of their prized young rearguard wasn’t a bad move given the potent Stars' offense. Edric Joseph

March 2016 – Since coming out of the all-star break swinging, Matt Dumba’s production has started to settle down. Though he managed to accumulate four points in his first six games of March he has since managed to go pointless in his last three appearances. Through it all his power play time and shot count have been erratic, making him a depth option at best in the immediate future. Edric Joseph

February 2016 – After a brief dry spell, the Matthew Dumba show has continued with his offensive production resuming as fantasy owners hoped with a goal and an assist against the Edmonton Oilers. This season has had it’s share of peaks and valleys but Brodin’s recent broken foot ought to mean more playing time to go around for the next three to six weeks. Dumba has been a different player since the all-star break and while still prone to lapses in judgement, he is starting to look more like the player fantasy hockey general management were hoping for. Let’s see if this reforming Dumba remains, but in any event remember him on draft day this fall. Edric Joseph

February 2016 – It seems the all-star break did a world of good for Matt Dumba, as he has three points in his first two games since. He’s getting power-play time and it shows as two of them (a goal and a helper) came on the man advantage. His propensity to jump into the play and leave his team defensively vulnerable is still a concern, as he is minus-3 in February. He’s really seizing the opportunity to contribute in light of the rest and his recent pairing with more defensively sound partners such as Brodin and Suter. Perhaps this is a sign of good things to come after having gone pointless in January. Edric Joseph

January 2016 – It’s far from a done deal, but the rumor mill has been suggesting the Tampa Bay Lightning are interested in acquiring Dumba as part of a deal for talented winger Jonathan Drouin. This might be the time to make a move, though, as Dumba’s been trying to weather an offensive drought in an overall lackluster season. He still has time to turn things around this season but he’s once again showing his reckless abandon approach to the game comes at a price by way of odd-man rushes the other way. The enthusiasm that he brings to the team is refreshing but better restraint needs to be exercised. Edric Joseph

December 2015 – Based on recent performances, Matt Dumba continues to leave fantasy owners wanting more. He's managed to muster just seven points through 23 games this season. His vast fantasy upside is still very much in tact but he's had his share of difficulty playing up to the expectations created from his terrific play in the stretch run of last season. Edric Joseph

October 2015- Don’t panic just yet. After just one point and a minus two rating, Mike Yeo is still aggressively trying to bring back the Matt Dumba we grew to appreciate in the back end of the 2014-2015 season. They have reportedly been reviewing more game tape than normal to better understand what went well during that time and what has been left to be desired so far this season after the rough start. The season is still quite young and he can be had at a modest price (if any) when in the market for a fifth or sixth blueliner, he’s still averaging more than 18 minutes of ice time a game so the opportunity for production remains. Edric Joseph

October 2015- Dumba’s fared well on recent opportunity to make the case for more favorable deployment for the coming season putting up two goals and two assists in the 8-1 blowout of the Winnipeg Jets this past Sunday. Coach Yeo is still entertaining other powerplay options along the blueline but nights like this definitely warrant Matthew Dumba more serious consideration. He is definitely one to keep in mind when looking for blue-line depth on fantasy draft day. Edric Joseph

September 2015- As fantasy hockey draft season approaches, don’t forget about Matthew Dumba the way a lot of fantasy hockey website rankings may have. After proving himself towards the tail end of last season and in the playoffs, he proved himself worthy of consideration for running the Minnesota powerplay given his improved decision making and marked improvement in athleticism. This may be the last time you can get him cheap on draft day if you’re looking for quality defenseman depth with considerable upside. Edric Joseph

June 2015- After looking like he belonged in the tail end of the previous season, look for Matthew Dumba to be promoted to full time NHL duty in the fall. With cap issues a growing concern it seems more likely that the Wild will try to alleviate the pressure on Ryan Suter’s shoulders with solutions conjured up from within rather than seeking solutions on the free agent market. It’s becoming clearer that Dumba is running out of things to learn in the developmental leagues. One can only hope that this exciting rearguard gets the keys to run the Minnesota powerplay in the near future. Edric Joseph

April 2015- Matt Dumba kept himself busy in the recent 3-2 defeat to the New York Rangers having been involved in both Minnesota Wild goals. With fewer aggressive gambits being taken when on the ice Dumba has proven that he has the tools to make for a terrific top pairing defenseman and has seized the opportunity to play big minutes with the likes of Ryan Suter and Jonas Brodin among others. A breakout for the exciting prospect could be nigh. Edric Joseph

February 2015 – In a pleasant surprise, Matthew Dumba received a season high 18:20 in ice time February 18^th against his hometown team the Calgary Flames. Dumba managed to make good on the opportunity scoring his third of the season, while making his presence felt on the defensive end. Can’t help but hope that he has more staying power with the big club given how fun he is to watch and the type of upside he boasts in his on ice play. Edric Joseph

February 2015 – Since being drafted in 2012, Dumba has proven that he has it in him to be the well rounded future cornerstone for the Minnesota Wild blue line. Matthew Dumba should become a mainstay with the big club once his decision making improves, especially on the defensive end. He often reminds one of a young PK Subban with his ability to play with heart and at any end of the rink. Dumba also proves to be a capable protector of the puck and wields a big slap shot from the back end that any team could appreciate on their powerplay. He needs to put on some size though in order for his truculence to be able to make a smooth transition on to the big stage. Edric Joseph

March 2014 – Dumba continues to tear it up in the WHL (18 PTS in 24 GP) after the Wild sent him back down to junior post-WJC tournament. The Portland Winterhawks traded for his CHL rights and so far have been reaping the benefits on their blue line. He continues to play with WJC teammates Taylor Leier, Nicolas Petan and Derrick Pouliot, and with a deep playoff run with Portland the 2012 1st-round pick should gain some much needed experience. Jamie Zadow

February 2014 – Dumba has been reunited with Team Canada teammates Nicolas Petan and Derrick Pouliot after being loaned to the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. He struggled in his time with the Wild earlier in the season, but has since been red hot in eight games with the Winterhawks, tallying two goals and six assists with a plus-17 rating. While it's an early step back in his career, the further development in the WHL will give Dumba a chance to work on his game and focus on his offensive strengths. Jamie Zadow

January 2014 – Big things were expected from Matt Dumba at the 2014 World Junior Championship in Malmo; however, the Wild's young defenceman failed to live up to his offensive expectations finishing with just one assist in seven games for the tournament. Dumba did manage to finish the tournament a plus-4 but he racked up 12 penalty minutes — tied for second most on the Canadian team. Dumba was often criticized for taking too many risks that led to several odd-man rushes for the opposing teams and really failed to play the offensive role he was named to the team for. Jamie Zadow

December 2013 – Mathew Dumba was one of seven defensemen named to Team Canada's final roster for the 2014 World Junior Championships in Malmo, Sweden. Additionally, Dumba will serve as an alternate captain for the Canucks and the team will look for him to play his usual offensive and hard hitting style. However, Dumba could face suspension from the IIHF after a kneeing incident that saw the Wild prospect ejected from pre-tournament play against Sweden. It wasn't a very smart play and adds another question mark to Dumba's overall hockey sense, an area that is a mystery still. Brendan Ross

November 2013 – Dumba managed to crack Minnesota's roster this season, and so far he has played in nine games, scoring once and also adding an assist. He hasn't really stood out like some of the young blueliners around the NHL but the upside for Dumba is still very high and the Wild are counting on him to produce offensively from the back end in the future. Jimmy Zadow

January 2013 – He was sent back to junior with no games of NHL experience but did see a couple weeks’ worth of NHL practice with a solid NHL roster. Minnesota is currently just too deep on the back end to allow Dumba an opportunity at this point. Would not be surprised if he spends an overage year in junior due to this current organizational depth. Jason Banks

October 2012 – Dumba is off to a strong start recording one goal and four points in as many games but also to note are his 17 penalty minutes – a statistic roto participants should take notice of. Brendan Ross

August 2012 – Quoted from Report Cards of Canada-Russia Challenge Article: Considering Dumba was knocked for his erratic play, you would never have guessed he was the same player based on his solid reliable showing in this four-game series. Mathew Dumba was excellent playing as a bottom pairing defenseman for the most part. He used his physicality as a tool defensively and not for entertainment purposes. Dumba was able to fire a few howitzers on net during his limited powerplay opportunities. Team Canada relied more on some of their veteran defensemen but fantasy owners should be pleased to see Dumba step up and show that he can play strong on both sides of the puck. That simple impression will earn him more ice time and shows that he could be trusted earlier than expected. Brendan Ross

June 2012 – Chuck Fletcher selects high flying defenseman, Mathew Dumba, 7th overall at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Brendan Ross

February 2012 – The Red Deer Rebels Mathew Dumba has become well-known for his ability to line up opposing forwards and send them soaring with a thunderous bodycheck. Don’t overlook his impressive offensive game though as he has a knack for stepping up into the play, catching opposing defenders off guard. Has a special skill-set that permits him to make a breakout pass, deliver a bone-jarring hit and score a goal all during the same shift. John Canario

Fantasy Outlook: B+

Can be a force, but the Wild will give him plenty of time to remove the lapses of judgment while keeping his assertiveness intact.

Footage:

Dumba scores his first goal of the 2012-13 WHL season, and it's a beauty:

{youtube}k6FZxl1VUEQ{/youtube}

Mathew Dumba finds the net twice against the Tri-City Americans:

{youtube}BAByaFJ1F6k{/youtube}

Buy the latest Fantasy Prospects Report here.

{source}
<iframe src="http://www.eliteprospects.com/iframe_player_stats_small.php?player=53542" width="100%" height="500" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" ></iframe>
{/source}