The strategic maneuvering continues in the National Hockey League, with the Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins completing a noteworthy transaction on July 10, 2025. The trade sees the Stars acquiring defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok from Pittsburgh in exchange for veteran blueliner Matt Dumba and a future draft asset.
The Details of the Exchange
Under the terms of the agreement, the Pittsburgh Penguins receive defenseman Matt Dumba and the Dallas Stars` second-round selection in the 2028 NHL Entry Draft. Heading to Dallas is defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok.
Matt Dumba`s Latest Chapter
For the 30-year-old Matt Dumba, this move represents his fourth team in just two years, a significant shift after dedicating a decade to the Minnesota Wild organization where he was a seventh overall draft pick in 2012. Dumba brings a physical presence and a history of offensive upside, though his production dipped last season with the Stars, registering one goal and nine assists in 63 regular-season games. Notably, he did not factor into Dallas` playoff lineup. He is entering the final year of a contract carrying an annual cap hit of $3.75 million. His transition from a long-tenured Wild player to a journeyman in rapid succession is a stark reminder of the transient nature of professional sports careers, especially as players move into their thirties.
Introducing Vladislav Kolyachonok to Dallas
Arriving in Dallas is Vladislav Kolyachonok, a younger defenseman at 24 years old. The Belarusian blueliner joined the Penguins organization via a waiver claim from the Utah franchise in February 2025. Between his time with Utah and Pittsburgh, Kolyachonok appeared in 35 NHL games last season, recording two goals and five assists. Over his career spanning two NHL organizations, he has accumulated four goals and 14 assists in 74 games. Crucially for the Stars, Kolyachonok is on a contract with a significantly lower cap hit of $775,000 for the upcoming season, providing substantial financial relief compared to Dumba`s salary.
Analysis: A Cap-Conscious Move for Dallas?
This trade appears to be a clear move by the Dallas Stars to gain immediate flexibility under the NHL`s salary cap. Shedding Dumba`s $3.75 million hit for Kolyachonok`s $775,000 clears $2.975 million in cap space for the upcoming season. While parting with a veteran and a valuable future draft pick is not insignificant, the financial breathing room gained is substantial and could enable Dallas to make other roster moves. From Pittsburgh`s perspective, they acquire a more established NHL defenseman – even if his recent performance has been modest – and gain an asset for the distant future in the 2028 second-round pick. It`s a classic exchange: a team prioritizing cap space and a younger, cheaper option versus a team willing to absorb a higher cost for a known commodity and a long-term asset. The inclusion of the 2028 pick adds an interesting element, indicating Pittsburgh placed a higher value on Dumba`s addition or the cap relief was particularly desirable for Dallas. In the relentless cycle of asset management, sometimes you trade future picks for immediate financial flexibility, and sometimes you acquire them by taking on salary.
Looking Ahead
As both defensemen integrate with their new clubs, the success of this trade will be evaluated based on Kolyachonok`s performance and contribution in Dallas relative to the cap savings, and Dumba`s impact in Pittsburgh, along with the ultimate value of that 2028 draft pick.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow