Evgeniy Dadonov was replaced at the Montreal Canadiens by Vegas Golden Knights for Shea Weber on Thursday.
Striker Dadonov has scored 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) in 78 games for the Golden Knights this season. The 33-year-old was changed from Vegas to Anaheim Ducks on March 21 for defender John Moore, striker Ryan Kessler and a conditional second-round pick in the NHL 2023 or 2024 NHL draft, but the NHL canceled the deal, saying his contract included a restricted ban clause of trade that was not observed. Dadonov returned to the Golden Knights three days later.
Vegas (43-31-8) missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in four NHL seasons and hired Bruce Cassidy to coach Tuesday after firing Peter De Boer on May 16.
Dadonov signed a three-year, $ 15 million ($ 5 million average) contract with the Ottawa Senators on October 15, 2020, which included a restricted trade-off clause. He was changed for the Golden Knights by Senator for defender Nick Holden and a third-round pick in the NHL 2022 Draft on July 28, 2021. Dadonov could become an unrestricted free agent after next season.
Selected by the Florida Panthers in the third round (№ 71) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Dadonov has 265 points (124 goals, 141 assists) in 413 regular-season games with the Panthers, Senators and Golden Knights. He has one assist in four playoff games for the Stanley Cup.
“It’s a trade that helps both teams,” said Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes. “It gives Vegas the flexibility it needs. I think everyone knows that there is a need for some flexibility within the salary cap this year. For us, this gives us flexibility in the future, if necessary. In addition, we bring in a player who can help us offensively. I expect to find more flexibility under the salary cap in the coming years, so we’ll see what happens, but I think he can help us next season. “
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Weber, a defender who has been captain of the Canadians since 1 October 2018, has not played this season due to a foot / ankle injury and may have ended his career. He has five seasons left under a 14-year contract with the Nashville Predators, which matched the offer given to him by the Philadelphia Flyers before the 2012-13 season. He has an annual NHL salary cap of $ 7.85 million.
Montreal (22-49-11) finished last in the Eastern Conference this season.
“All we’ve heard from our doctors is that he’s physically in really bad shape,” Hughes said. “If I thought he would be back soon, we wouldn’t trade his contract. “Here we have always deviated from the assumption that Shea’s injuries are exhausting and will make it impossible for him to return to the game.”
A second-round pick (№ 49) from the Nashville Predators in the 2003 NHL Draft, Weber has 589 points (224 goals, 365 assists) in 1,038 regular season games with the Predators and Canadiens and 42 points (18 goals, 24 assists) in 97 playoff matches. He had six points in 22 games since the 2021 season when he helped Montreal reach the Stanley Cup final.
The Golden Knights said Weber, who turns 37 on August 14, will remain in reserve for injuries.
“First, I would like to thank Shea for everything he has done and represented for the Montreal Canadiens,” Hughes said. “Shea was not only an exceptional hockey player who played significant injuries in an attempt to bring the Stanley Cup back to Montreal, he was also a great leader whose leadership will have a positive impact on our team far beyond the time spent with us.
“I also want to welcome Evgeniy Dadonov to our organization. He is a talented striker who has been producing at all levels since the beginning of his career.
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