MONTREAL – The acquisition of Evgeni Dadonov by the Dallas Stars comes as no surprise.
True, the 33-year-old right winger had a disappointing season statistically. It is also true that the Russian foamed, with not always edifying performances, the skepticism displayed by his detractors when it was a question of a possible transaction chasing him out of Montreal.
But clubs lacking the experience and depth to help them take advantage of the final stretch of the regular season to confirm their place in the playoffs or find a way to find their way there seek this type of player every year when counting final countdown of the trading period.
The Stars confirmed it on Sunday.
What is surprising however, at least in my eyes, is the compensation obtained by the Canadian who receives Denis Gurianov in return for Dadonov.
A first choice that has lost its luster
No question here of leaving in fear!
At 25, Gurianov has lost the luster associated with being selected in the first round – 12th selection – of the 2015 draft. very far even from living up to the hopes he had raised in 2019-2020 with his season of 20 goals in 64 games.
Not to mention that while general manager Jim Nill believes Dadonov has more to offer his team than Gurianov already offered him, it’s hard to believe the Canadian went bankrupt with the acquisition of the young Russian.
But Gurianov could enjoy a fresh start by changing organization. As Kirby Dach is doing with the Habs. As former Canadian players have taken advantage of new beginnings with other organizations to hatch. As it is seen every year in the four corners of the NHL.
It is not guaranteed. It’s clear.
But to be quite honest, if I really believed that the Canadian would succeed in “passing” Evgeni Dadonov to another formation even while retaining half ($2.5 million of the $5 million he occupies on the mace) of his salary, I was convinced that Kent Hughes would settle for less than nothing in return.
Gurianov therefore represents an interesting compensation. He is earning $2.9 million this season and will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
The last 23 games of the regular schedule, at least those he will play in the tricolor uniform, will therefore allow the staff to determine whether or not it is worth offering him a qualifying offer.
If such an offer is proposed and accepted, Martin Saint-Louis will have another player to raise on hand. The coach will have another challenge to face.
If his bosses let him go, the Canadian will have lost nothing since it was the fate that already awaited Evgeni Dadonov who completed the third and final season of the contract he had obtained from the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
Dadonov: “paying” for the CH
Speaking of Dadonov, his acquisition will therefore have been “paying” for the Canadian.
Not in goals (four) or points (14) scored and collected over the 50 games he played. But his acquisition will have allowed the Canadian to get rid of the heavy contract of Shea Weber – $ 7,857,143 million until 2026 that the Golden Knights passed on to the Arizona Coyotes a few days ago – which was hanging on his foot . And now he allows the Habs to get a player who is certainly worth giving the opportunity to prove that he still has good years to offer.
More departures to come…
From general manager Kent Hughes to president Jeff Gorton and contract manager John Sedgwick, the entire Canadiens staff stayed in Montreal on Sunday instead of heading to California with the rest of the team. ‘crew.
Visiting San Jose, where the Canadian will meet the Sharks on Tuesday, Los Angeles and Anaheim where the Habs will stop on Thursday and Friday is always fun. Especially at this time of year.
But that’s not the best way to maximize the home stretch leading to the end of the trading period at 3:00 p.m. (ET) on March 3.
Trading Evgeni Dadonov is all well and good, and it’s a good start, but the Canadian intends to take advantage of the next few days to orchestrate other transactions that will allow him to drop “experienced” players to put the hand on other draft picks, other hopes to give first or second chances.
The injuries are far from helping the cause of the Canadian. It’s clear. Teams that had their sights set on Sean Monahan must be looking at other rosters right now due to concerns over his protracted recovery.
Clubs who wondered if Joel Armia could help them in any way no longer have to ask themselves this question since he is injured.
The imminent return of Joel Edmundson is good news, however.
It is clear that the veteran left-handed defender is of interest to many teams. At what point? The next few days will tell. But if Edmundson can play the next two games, Kent Hughes will be able to solicit his counterparts with more conviction.
If he doesn’t play. It will be more difficult.
Others? The Hoffmans, Drouins and Allens? The Josh Anderson and Mike Matheson that the Canadian probably wants to keep, but who could become available if fabulous offers fell at the last minute?
It will be necessary to wait. Because the exchanges that will be concluded over the next few hours and days will lead to other transactions. And it is by taking advantage of this excitement that Kent Hughes will perhaps be able to conclude a few transactions too.
Notice that we thought we would have to wait until the last minute also in the case of Dadonov and he has already left.
How the trading game, especially at this time of year, is very unpredictable.