This is far from over.
The Vegas Golden Knights’ Evgenii Dadonov trade situation has devolved into a tangled web of confusion.
The matter is currently being investigated by the NHL and NHLPA and is officially in dispute, according to SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Dadonov trade is now officially an NHL/NHLPA issue. Player is adamant no-trade list was filed on-time
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 22, 2022
this is now officially in dispute.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 22, 2022
The Vegas Golden Knights traded Dadonov and a conditional second-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman John Moore and the contract of Ryan Kesler Monday afternoon prior to the NHL Trade Deadline.
The Golden Knights have acquired John Moore and Ryan Kesler from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Evgenii Dadonov and a conditional 2024 2nd round pick. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/fdXWksqXq1
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 21, 2022
Or so they thought.
The deal was not made official until hours after the deadline due to what many assumed was a delay with Central Registry, which processes all NHL trades. But according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the delay may have been caused by a paperwork issue, as the NHL did not have Dadonov’s original no-trade list on file.
It’s believed part of the delay in processing Dadonov to the Ducks included old business. The NHL didn’t have Dadonov’s original “no trade” list on record. Turns out, Anaheim was on the list, but neither Vegas, Anaheim, nor the NHL knew. The trade was processed based on this.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 22, 2022
The Golden Knights released a statement via Twitter on Monday evening that they had “become aware of an issue with respect to the trade. We have been consulting with the league office. We will provide further information once it becomes available.”
Multiple reports indicate that the trade is being reviewed due to a potential violation of Dadonov’s modified no-trade clause.
I’m told #VGK claim they did not receive it from #Sens.
Either way, #NHLDucks are supposedly on Dadonov’s original 10-team “no” list, which should have blocked trade.
I’d imagine there would be sufficient electronic evidence to prove original list was submitted to #Sens on-time
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 22, 2022
What that means for the parties involved remains unclear.
According to CapFriendly, Dadonov’s three-year contract — signed with the Ottawa Senators in October of 2020 — includes a modified no-trade clause, which allows him to submit a 10-team no-trade list.
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CapFriendly
That list reportedly includes the Anaheim Ducks, which should have nullified this deal.
VGK/ANA update: Lots of head scratching over this discussed Dadonov trade. Vegas/Anaheim agreed to a deal, but the main question is did/will Dadonov waive his NTC? I’m told the Ducks are on his no-trade list. Both teams silent on matter. (1/2)
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 21, 2022
For some reason, it did not.
Whether the Golden Knights were made aware of this list on the original trade call — when they acquired Dadonov from Ottawa on July 28, 2021 — is another variable in this mess.
Dadonov situation, as best I can glean/understand: Dadonov seems to have properly filed 10-team NTC list with #Sens before July 1, 2021 due date.#Sens traded Dadonov to #VGK on July 28, 2021. Was the list, which was still valid, passed along to #VGK on trade call?
1/3
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 22, 2022
There was speculation that there may have been an issue surrounding the actual submission of the list. But according to multiple reports, Dadonov is confident that it was filed on time.
Where this is going: Dadonov was traded to Vegas on July 28. The claim is the paperwork was filed before that. So the questions are: is there documentation and was it disclosed on the July trade call?
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 22, 2022
My understanding is Evgeni Dadonov was/is under the belief his 10-team no-trade list was submitted at its designated time, with the Ducks on it. We’ll see where this goes.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 22, 2022
I don’t believe time of filing is the issue…the problem is that Ottawa didn’t disclose it on the trade call when Dadonov was moved to Vegas. https://t.co/XzK5LKni6Q
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 22, 2022
Dadonov is in the second year of a three-year contract carrying an AAV of $5 million, so the move is of significant consequence to the cap-strapped Golden Knights.
Vegas traded its 2022 second-round pick along with defenseman Nick Holden to Ottawa in exchange for Dadonov last summer. He recorded at least 25 goals in three straight seasons with Florida but struggled in his one season with the Senators and has been unable to get back on track in Vegas.
The 33-year-old has 15 goals and 27 points in 62 games with the Golden Knights this season, but he scored 10 of those in the first 55.
Moore has 38 goals and 118 points in 544 career regular-season games with the Blue Jackets, Rangers, Coyotes, Devils and Bruins. However, he has a concussion and will remain at his home in Boston, according to general manager Kelly McCrimmon.
Kesler is on an expiring contract with a cap hit of $6.875 million, but a hip injury has kept him out of commission since 2018-19, making him a candidate for long-term injured reserve; he has 258 goals and 573 points in 1,001 career games with the Canucks and Ducks.
No matter what happens with this trade, it likely won’t end well for Vegas or Dadonov.
If the deal goes through, it’s still a major distraction and another instance of management’s questionable treatment of players; if it doesn’t, Dadonov will be forced to play for a team that clearly doesn’t want him, and team chemistry could take a hit as a result.
This is an ongoing story; check back for updates.