Wild GM Bill Guerin addresses Matt Dumba trade rumors.

It feels like Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba has been linked to one trade rumor or another for the better part of several years now. In spite of the fact that he has been a regular fixture of the Wild's blue line for the better part of a decade Dumba has never truly had the opportunity to feel safe in his spot on the team, and this season has been no exception.

This season the rumor makes a great deal more sense given that Dumba is playing in the final year of his current contract with the Wild and is set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this deal. Dumba carries an average annual value of $6 million per season and could prove to be a valuable trading chip for Wild general manager Bill Guerin ahead of the March 3rd trade deadline, but it sounds like that is no longer part of the plan for the Wild.

On Sunday, Guerin spoke with Minnesota Wild insider Mike Russo and clarified the status of Dumba as it pertains to the rumor, indicating that he isn't likely to trade the 28 year old before the deadline. Guerin didn't go so far as to guarantee that a deal wouldn't happen, but he did indicate it would take a very significant offer to get him to part with his defenseman.

"If somebody comes through and offers us a boatload for him, we'll think about it," admitted Guerin. "But I actually think Matt's playing his best hockey of the year right now. I would probably bet that he's here through the end of the year, but I can't make that promise."

Many Wild fans have already expressed doubt regarding Guerin's comments, believing that the Wild GM may simply be trying to pump up the value on Dumba, but that may just be wishful thinking.

Dumba's contract also complicates matters here considerably with a modified no trade clause in the final 2 years of the deal. That no trade clause allows him to submit a 10-team no trade list to Guerin at the start of the season, which could also severely limit Guerin's options in any potential trade.