Matt Dumba and Anthony Duclair were friends long before this year and now get to strengthen their relationship by playing with the Lightning alongside each other.
Two players who used to play for the Coyotes are already making an impact for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Coyotes traded Matt Dumba to the Lightning last week on the day of the NHL Trade Deadline. In the two games he’s played in for Tampa Bay, the 29-year-old defenseman has recorded over 20 minutes which just shows the value that he brings to the table.
“Matt comes in and brought instant energy to our group,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said via Forbes. “He did a lot of things that we need back (on the blue line). He competes real hard.”
In 58 games for the Coyotes, Dumba had four goals, six assists and 10 points while averaging 20:04 minutes per game.
He gets an opportunity to play for a team with championship aspirations which Dumba is looking forward to.
“I had to get the body going,” Dumba said following his first game with the Lightning. “I kind of talked myself into that. Coming to a team like this is so exciting and I was pumped for the opportunity to play.”
Anthony Duclair is another former Coyotes player that was traded to the Lightning around trade deadline time this year.
Duclair played three seasons with the Coyotes from 2015-2018 before bouncing around to a multitude of different teams including the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers and San Jose Sharks.
In his first three games with the Lightning, Duclair already has two goals, one assist and three points. Following his first goal, fans in Tampa Bay were chanting his name, so it’s safe to say he is already fitting in quite well.
“I definitely heard the ‘Duc’ chants and that was amazing,” Duclair said. “I never thought I would hear that from the Lightning fans. I know they have a great fan base here. As an opponent it was always a tough building to play in and I am happy to be on the other side of it now.”
The ironic thing about Dumba and Duclair joining the Lightning at the same time is that the two have been great friends for years. They practiced together in Arizona through the height of the pandemic, strengthening their bond.
Now they have the opportunity to play alongside each other which is something both of them have always wanted to do.
“I am pumped,” said Dumba. “We have talked about it for years. We have had some good summers and have been boys for a long time now. For this to happen is unreal.”
For Coyotes’ fans looking for something to watch when the NHL playoffs arrive, the Lightning may be a fun team to keep an eye out for with Dumba and Duclair both potentially playing substantial roles.