Matt Dumba singed a 2 year deal with an AAV of 2.35 million with the Minnesota Wild. Dumb was selected 7th overall in the 2012 entry draft, just two spots ahead of Trouba. To date Dumba has played 59 games less than Trouba and like Trouba has just finished his entry level deal.

He was an RFA and signed the so-called 'bridge deal'. He has to prove to the Wild and to himself that he should be rewarded in the higher salary level on his next deal. Should this same logic and approach be applied to Trouba?

Here is a comparison of the two players:



There is not a lot of difference between the two and you could argue that Dumba is a bit better in some areas so it begs the question why didn't he ask for the world? The risk here is that Dumba can go to arbitration after his deal ends as and potentially be a UFA after an award. I don't believe the Jets want to take that risk with Trouba and that is precisely why many believe the promising Jets defence man will be traded or signed long-term at a much higher rate.

The issue that differentiates the two players is that there is reason to suspect Trouba would prefer to play elsewhere. It's not that Winnipeg isn't enjoyable but it's not the top of his list, at least that's the speculation. So how do the Jets overcome that issue? By salary of course.

However if Dumba is only worth 2.35 million how does Trouba ask for more and how do you value those year further out as a UFA based on what Dumba just signed for? Things just got tricky for the Jets and Trouba and more importantly Trouba's agent, Kurt Overhardt.

Overhardt plays hardball and while he denied the ask of 7 million per season that was revealed by Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press, he is probably not seeking much less. Did even a number above 5.5 million per year become too much after this deal signed by Dumba and the Wild?

Do the Jets even want to go down the bridge contract route with the 23 year old Trouba or would they prefer a 7 or 8 year deal right now? Indications are they would prefer longer term but does that change now with Dumba's signing or at least does the dollar value change?

As you can see there are far more questions than answers and for the Jets that might be a good thing because it will be Overhardt who has to explain why Trouba is worth more than Dumba based on how similar they are.

More as it happens.

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