Why Matt Dumba's Presence is so Significant for Coyotes

The arrival of defenceman Matt Dumba to the Arizona Coyotes is much more significant than fans may actually think.

Through the first five games of the season, Dumba has just recorded one point but looking beyond just his stats, Dumba’s impact to the Coyotes has been huge thus far.

While watching the Coyotes play, it’s clear that Dumba brings a physical presence to the lineup that this team desperately needed.

The 29-year-old continues to deliver big hit after big hit. On the ice, Dumba provides energy and relentless defensive pressure.

When he attempts to steal the puck, Dumba makes sure the opposing player feels the contact and he surely does not shy away from any physical confrontation.

This tough mentality that Dumba is trying to play by has spread contagiously throughout the Coyotes locker room as they look like a team ready to confront physicality instead of running away from it.

Specifically in Arizona’s last game against the Anaheim Ducks, the team was not intimidated by the Ducks and matched them physically which could be a turning point for a young team still looking for an identity.

Dumba is also playing 21:41 minutes a game which is the second most out of all Coyotes players just behind Sean Durzi. This shows the amount of trust coach André Tourigny has in the veteran defenceman.

There is another aspect of Dumba’s game that has stood out. For a defenceman, Dumba has great speed and that should be utilized more on the offensive end.

Putting Dumba maybe on the second wave of the power play should be something that Tourigny must consider since throughout his career, Dumba has shown to be capable of scoring goals. It is also something that he stated he wants to do more of during his introductory press conference with the Coyotes.

Dumba is a player that all fans should watch out for. He is continuing to prove his worth over the start of this season and should continue to do so for the rest of the year.