UFA Evgenii Dadonov Has Multiple Teams Interested — But Not In NHL

After 12 years in the NHL, Russian forward Evgenii Dadonov's days may be coming to an end in North America. An unrestricted free agent at the worst possible time after a one-goal season (24 games), there is unsurprisingly very little interest on the market for the 37-year-old. 

A Russian report indicates that Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL is interested in the player's services, and that the feeling is mutual.

The former New Jersey Devils forward is the team's top choice for a Russian-born player. Currently, Dadonov is awaiting offers from overseas and, if he doesn't find an NHL job, will likely sign with Traktor.

Dadonov signed a one-year, $1 million deal last summer in free agency with the New Jersey Devils, but only managed to contribute one goal and no assists in 24 games, with an average of 10:39 ice time for each of those contests. Hand and wrist injuries severely curtailed his ability to perform. 

New Jersey placed him on waivers on March 5 but he went unclaimed.

He's a five-time 20-goal scorer in the NHL, with a couple of excellent 28-goal seasons with the Florida Panthers from 2017 to 2019. He had 65 and 70 points, respectively, in those two years. 

Dadonov on verge of leaving NHL; was the center of Senators/Golden Knights/Ducks voided trade incident

But the Russian will always be remembered in the NHL for a controversial trade incident. Dadonov had a limited no-trade clause in his contract signed with the Ottawa Senators in 2020. The clause carried a stipulation that he couldn't be traded without first submitting a 10-team no-trade list. 

However, the Senators failed to mention that clause to the Vegas Golden Knights when they traded him there in 2021. When the Knights then dealt Dadonov to the Anaheim Ducks in 2022, that deal was voided as the Ducks were on the player's no-trade list. 

Ottawa was initially hit with a penalty of the forfeiture of their first-round pick in the 2026 Draft over their neglect, but that was subsequently modified to allow them to pick 32nd (last) in the first round, regardless of where they finished in the standings.