Matt Dumba’s Struggles in Wilkes-Barre Raise Questions About His Future with the Penguins
When Matt Dumba signed with the Penguins organization, the idea was simple: a low-risk move with potential upside. Pittsburgh added a veteran presence and picked up a draft asset in the process.
For GM Kyle Dubas, it was the kind of calculated gamble that can quietly pay off down the line. But a few months into Dumba’s stint with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the returns haven’t just been underwhelming - they’ve been actively concerning.
Dumba has been logging top-pair minutes in the AHL, but the on-ice product hasn’t matched the role. Whether it’s untimely penalties, missed assignments, or lapses in effort, the veteran defenseman has struggled to find any rhythm. For a player who was once a reliable top-four contributor in the NHL, it’s been a jarring decline.
This isn’t about a player adjusting to a new system or shaking off rust. It’s been a consistent pattern of ineffective play.
Dumba’s presence on the ice has often led to breakdowns in coverage, and his decision-making with the puck has lacked the confidence and sharpness you’d expect from someone with his NHL pedigree. There’s a growing sense that his minutes are coming at the expense of developing players who could benefit from the opportunity.
And it’s not just internal observers noticing. Penguins fans - especially those closely following Wilkes-Barre - have been vocal about their frustrations.
After nearly every game, social media lights up with calls for Dumba to be scratched or replaced. It’s not noise for the sake of noise; it’s a reflection of what’s been happening on the ice.
The fact that players like Connor Clifton and Jack St. Ivany are ahead of Dumba in the organizational pecking order says a lot.
Clifton brings a physical edge and positional reliability, while St. Ivany continues to grow into his role.
Meanwhile, Dumba, once a dynamic two-way threat, hasn’t been able to carve out a meaningful role - even at the AHL level.
Head coach Kirk MacDonald has continued to put Dumba in the lineup, but the results haven’t improved. And with each passing game, the question becomes less about whether Dumba can turn it around and more about whether it’s time for both sides to move on.
At this point, a mutual contract termination could be the cleanest path forward. It would free up a roster spot in Wilkes-Barre for a younger player to step in and develop, while giving Dumba the chance to reset and see if another organization is willing to take a flyer on him. Sometimes, a change of scenery is what a player needs - and for Dumba, that opportunity likely won’t come in Pittsburgh.
The original idea behind the move made sense: bring in a veteran, see if he can rediscover his game, and maybe flip him or plug him in if needed. But the experiment has run its course. The Penguins have to prioritize players who are trending upward - not those still searching for their game.
Dumba’s future in Pittsburgh looks all but closed. Whether it’s the press box or a parting of ways, the Penguins need to make a move that reflects the reality of the situation. It’s time to turn the page.