It’s no secret that the Arizona Coyotes are struggling right now, both on and off the rink. Monday’s 6-3 loss to the Oilers fueled the deadline sellers narrative. This was the Coyotes’ eighth consecutive loss, pushing them farther into the draft lottery. Dropping in the standings at this stage in the season is arguably the greatest condition for the franchise in the long run, and GM Bill Armstrong must make some critical decisions in the coming weeks. They could use some change.
Armstrong has not been reluctant to trade assets before the deadline in the past, including some key roster players (Shayne Gostisbehere in 2023). A popular notion among Coyotes fans online is that this awful stretch is 
an excellent opportunity to acquire additional draft cash and bolster the team’s already impressive prospect pool. The Coyotes have plenty of draft capital for the coming years, including seven picks in the first three rounds this year.
The Oilers are a great club and will undoubtedly make the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have flaws on their depth chart. Some believe Edmonton might benefit from acquiring a strong second-line defenseman, which is why there have been talks of a Chris Tanev deal from Calgary. However, if the price for Tanev becomes too high for Oilers GM Ken Holland, the focus may shift to a familiar partner, the Arizona Coyotes.
These two have previously worked together on deals, notably the draft day transaction that sent Zack Kassian to the desert. Nick Bjugstad was traded to Edmonton as a depth addition at the last deadline, only to resign with the Coyotes in free agency. Given both teams’ present situations, a trade that sends Matt Dumba to Edmonton makes sense for both parties.
The 29-year-old defenseman has only eight points in 50 games this season; however, Dumba isn’t known for producing many points. Dumba’s physicality shines through, making him an excellent acquisition to any team with postseason hopes. Edmonton doesn’t need additional points; McDavid and Draisaitl can handle it. They need someone who can both protect their talented players and be a force on the ice. It’s difficult to predict what a deal with Edmonton might look like, whether it entails a later draft pick or a younger player. The salary cap may complicate matters, but Dumba’s one-year, $3.9 million contract is something the Coyotes will gladly keep 50% of at the right price.
