ST. PAUL, Minn. -- For how long Matthew Dumba has been mentioned with the Minnesota Wild, it's easy to forget the former No. 7 overall draft pick is still just 20 years old.
Dumba carries himself with the big smile of someone living out his dream to play in the NHL, along with the swagger and excitement of a young player. Dumba tried to prove himself to the organization for three years. Sometimes, the desire to stay with Minnesota was so strong it ultimately led to the decision to send him back to juniors or the American Hockey League.
By allowing himself to settle in his role, Dumba earned the chance to stay with the Wild.
"I think in a lot of ways, at the start of the year, the difference was he was playing to try and keep himself on the roster," head coach Mike Yeo said. "And we talked to him about this, it was never going to be the case, but in his eyes he felt if he went out and made one great play a night that it was going to be the difference; where that wasn't the case whatsoever. Whereas right now I think he feels pretty comfortable and confident that he's with us and because of that I think he's just allowing the game to unfold."
Dumba was sent back to the AHL again in November. He saw his NHL breakout halted again. But Dumba tried to make the most of the minor-league assignment. Dumba had five goals and nine assists in 20 games, earning a spot in the AHL All-Star Game. He also got a call back up to Minnesota.
In his first game back, he scored his third career goal in Buffalo, which was also the start of the Wild's 19-4-2 run to the top Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Dumba has been more than just riding along with Minnesota during its NHL-leading stretch.
Dumba leads the entire NHL with a plus-13 rating since Feb. 18. He's skating nearly 19 minutes a night and scored four goals. He's a plus-10 in his last six games.
"As a younger guy, it's all about believing in yourself, believing in your abilities," Dumba said. "That's been awesome. I've been able to play within our team structure and play a hard game. Play smart and simple, but also take advantage of some of the opportunities that I get out there. I've been happy with that, just being myself."
With all his talents, the Wild wanted Dumba to work within the system. The development was constant, working behind the scenes with Dumba using video. The teaching moments would go from the bench during games to on the ice during practices.
"The biggest word for me is control," Yeo said. "He's a lot more in control of the game and he's not forcing plays that aren't there. He's not putting himself in bad position. He keeps the play in front of him a lot more."
Yeo added: "I'd say there's a lot more patience in his game. He lets the game unfold a little bit more and waits for those opportunities for his skill to come out whereas before he was forcing it a little bit more."
Dumba leads all rookie defensemen with a plus-12 rating in 43 games this season. He's third among all rookie defensemen with six goals and he's fifth with 63 shots on goal.
Dumba is also growing from more ice time. When defenseman Jared Spurgeon, and later Marco Scandella, were lost with injury, Dumba stepped forward with more responsibility.
"Just my confidence going into games; I'm preparing really well," Dumba said. "When you make mistakes -- there are going to be mistakes in games -- and I know after mistakes that I can find my game and get right back to my game. I'm not going to dwell on it or anything like that.
Learning not to dwell on mistakes was part of the maturation.
Having played 56 games the past two seasons for Minnesota -- and even breaking camp with the NHL squad three years ago -- Dumba is among the youngest players in the league. Only 31 players in the league are younger.
"Getting mentally stronger is so big in the game," Dumba said. "As a younger guy it's hard not to think one play is going to send me back to Iowa or one play, 'Oh, I'm going to be sitting. I'm not going to see my next shift, blah, blah, blah.' It can fill your head with these negative thoughts. But it's not going to do any good for you. Let it go and move on."
By letting go, Dumba has taken hold with the Wild.
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