Rumor: Oilers Among Five Teams Asking About Matt Dumba's Availability

The Arizona Coyotes have historically been a team that trades off their best players for future assets. That has especially been the case over the last couple of seasons. Now the team may be looking to move one more major piece.

NHL rumor site HockeyBuzz.com is cranking out the rumors yet again. This time, Eklund has heard that several teams are actively pursuing Coyotes defenseman Matt Dumba. Among the teams listed are the Edmonton Oilers.

"I am already hearing New Jersey, Edmonton, the NY Rangers,. Tampa, as well as Buffalo. Dumba brings some serious grit and leadership to any team and you could just see him finding another level and finally getting to make a playoff impact."

The Oilers have obviously been disappointing this year. Their recent play has been better though, giving fans and management alike hope that this year's team can still make serious noise in the playoffs. First they will have to make the playoffs though, and that is not guarantee given where the team is at in the standings. The team could use some much-needed help on defense and goaltending.

The Oilers may be in trouble though when it comes to trading for Matt Dumba. As it is, the Coyotes are in a much better position to make the playoffs than the Oilers are. For this reason, it might not make any sense for them to give up the 29-year-old blueliner as he could be a legitimate contributor to their own playoff success, which has been extremely hard to come by in the Arizona desert.

Needless to say, fans are having fun in Arizona for the first time in a long time. The young team is genuinely exciting and now their hopes and dreams of lifting Lord Stanley seem to be just a little bit closer to reality.

So will the Oilers, or any team for that matter, be able to pry Dumba out of Arizona? Perhaps, but will certainly come at an increased cost thanks to the team's success. We will have to see where the team is at come the trade deadline so find out if they are still in the playoff race or not.

Previously on Hockey OTB

Brad Marchand Takes Leave Of Absence From Bruins To Attend Personal Matters

Oilers Linked To Two Star Defenseman's As Trade Details Emerge

Nashville Predators GM Bary Trotz furious over trade request from Tyson Barrie

POLL
6 DECEMBRE \| 215 ANSWERS Rumor: Oilers Among Five Teams Asking About Matt Dumba's Availability Who do you think will land Dumba?
Edmonton	59	27.4 %
New Jersey	38	17.7 %
Tampa	33	15.3 %
Another team	85	39.5 %
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