After many years of rumors trading Matt Dumbaa, the Minnesota Wild have finally allowed him to walk him to unrestricted free agent (UFA) status and don’t seem to have any way of bringing him back with multiple teams reportedly interested in the 28-year-old shooting right-handed man. The Wild’s roster without Dumba feels strange, as he brought energy and grit, and was clearly appreciated by the Wild’s coaching staff; He was an alternate captain alongside Marcos Foligno for the last two seasons in the Wild Jacket. The question now is who will be given an “A” and fill the vacancy?
There are four players who deserve this title. Let’s analyze the four and look at some of the arguments for and against giving them the role.
Jonas Broden
You don’t have to look very far to find a front runner, as longtime Doumba defense partner Jonas Pruden is definitely up for grabs. The number one player in 2011 has already been in the NHL for 11 years, amassing 213 points over 741 regular season games, plus/minus 71. Brodin has been a solid defensive force who has been consistent in their top four for years as one of the lowest scoring defenders in the league. His ability to skate backwards is second to none in the NHL.
While no one would really argue if Brodin had an “A,” he doesn’t feel he has the personality required to handle the position. Much like Brodin’s outward mannerisms, he quietly does his work in the most efficient way possible, rarely showing any emotion. Replacing someone like Doumba with someone as quiet as Brodin would seem like an odd choice.
Mats Zuccarello
Next on the list is 36-year-old veteran winger Mats Zuccariello. The best Norwegian player in NHL history, Zuccarello has the remarkable story of going from being a 5-foot-8 free agent to a 766-game veteran with 573 points. The first line winger is an important part of the Wild’s attack and has donned the ‘A’ on multiple occasions when Dumba or Foligno is out of the lineup.
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It’s hard to see Zuccarello play anywhere other than Minnesota for the remainder of his career, especially when he plays He is a good friend of KabrizovHowever, he will be entering the final year of his contract. Depending on how the season goes, he may end up staying on the block at the trade deadline. Zuccarello is entering a phase of his career where the next contract and next season aren’t always a given, and the Wild may want someone who will be around for a little bit longer.
Kirill Kaprizov
Making his way to the top of the conversation about the best player to ever wear a Minnesota Wild jersey, Kabrizov is the kind of super player that every team needs if they are to have any chance of continued success. The electric winger has produced more than one point per game during his 203-game career, broken every record he can think of, and doesn’t seem like he’s planning on slowing down anytime soon. Everyone looks at Kaprizhov in the most difficult moments of the team, and he is not ashamed of anything or anyone else.
When Kabrizov first came from Russia his English left a lot to be desired and while it has improved greatly there is definitely still a communication barrier there. If the Wild are looking for a leader who is loud in the locker room, outspoken on the ice, and capable of some intense pep talk, he might not be their first choice.
Joel Erickson MI
Arguably the Wild’s best natural center, the 26-year-old has already played 421 NHL games and continues to improve each season, scoring 61 points in 78 games in 2022-23. His up-close, power-forward, aggressive style of play is coveted by the Wild brass and shows Eriksson Ek is one of only two players signed after the 2027-28 season, the other being Matt Poldy.
My favorite pick for the next alternate captain, Ericsson Ike has worn the message on many occasions already when others have been out of line-up. His ability to continue to improve his game year after year is a testament to his work ethic, his play is consistent day and night, and there is no better embodiment of the kind of hockey the Minnesota Wild want to play.
Not a bad choice for wilderness
When it comes down to it, there is no bad choice here. Whether he’s one of the four players on the roster or a surprise candidate, captain Jared Spurgeon and Wilde have created a welcoming locker room environment for all, and that’s unlikely to change. While Dumba’s presence and voice will no doubt be missed, it also opens up new opportunities for others, and possibly younger players, to find their own sound.