Mathew Dumba, Defenseman/Tampa Bay Lightning
With such weak defense in Detroit this season, the defensive forward or in this case the blue line theme continues. Mathew Dumba’s presence would make for one the Red Wings are currently missing, and he would establish the presence of a proven veteran in the Motor City, especially if Shayne Gostisbehere goes elsewhere.
While Dumba wouldn’t attain the same offensive production as Gostisbehere, his physical play, ability to contribute short-handed, and his solid defensive zone presence would all be pluses. Dumba’s possession quality suffered this season, but it’s also important to point out he spent most of 2023-24 playing on a rebuilding Arizona Coyotes team that did little from the second half of the year onward.
Overall, Dumba is a defenseman on this list who would make a great complement to a player with two-way potential like Simon Edvinsson. He would also fit onto the third-pairing and mainly focus on providing a steady, physical presence for what has inevitably become the latter stages of his career.
Dumba won’t be the same player he was during his time with the Minnesota Wild, but thanks to Detroit’s ability to score when they are on a roll, he doesn’t need to be. Let him take on a stay-at-home role, and he will give a team like the Red Wings plenty of value.