The Dallas Stars are getting stronger on defense with Mathew Dumba finally back in action. He’s been out for eight games with a lower-body injury, but the team just announced he’s ready to go.
Dumba’s time in Dallas has been pretty similar to his short stint with Tampa Bay last year. He picked up two assists in 18 games for the Lightning after they got him from Arizona at the trade deadline.
He’s still solid when it comes to physical play and defense, but he’s not quite the same dynamic puck-mover fans remember from his Minnesota Wild days.
This season with the Stars, Dumba’s put up just one assist in 19 games. He’s seeing less ice time than he has since way back in 2014-15, his second year in the league.
The numbers guys will tell you he’s doing okay – he’s got a 51.0% Corsi rating. But that might drop closer to his career average of 49.2% once he starts playing more minutes.
Someone always has to make way when a player comes off injured reserve. This time, it’s Lian Bichsel heading back to the minors.
Bichsel, who the Stars picked 18th overall in 2022, made the most of his chance while Dumba was out. He even scored his first NHL goal in his debut game on December 12.
The young defenseman showed real promise during his eight-game NHL stint. For now, though, he’ll keep developing with the Texas Stars in the AHL, where he’s already put up three goals and nine points in 21 games.
