The Vegas Golden Knights’ Evgenii Dadonov trade to the Anaheim Ducks has turned into a tangled web situation. The trade is now under review due to an issue with his no-trade clause. Sportsnet Insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the matter is officially in dispute and being investigated by the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA).
On Tuesday, the Golden Knights later released a statement that said, “We have 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.”
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
Details on trade issue
On Monday, the Ducks acquired Dadonov and a second-round draft pick for defenseman John Moore and the contract of Ryan Kesler. Anaheim announced that the pick will be for the 2023 or 2024 draft. Unfortunately, it seems that the trade might be canceled due to the issue.
Dadonov signed a contract with the Ottawa Senators in October 2020 before the trade to Vegas nine months later which includes a modified no-trade clause with a list of 10 teams to which the 33-year-old cannot be traded to. According to multiple reports, Anaheim Ducks were included on that list.
The deal was not made official until several hours after the deadline because of what many assumed was the delay with Central Registry. However, the TSN Hockey sportscaster, Darren Dreger, said that the delay might be caused by a paperwork issue.
The former Florida Panthers winger has one season left on a three-year, $15 million contract. He made15 goals and 27 points in 62 games this season. His best season was with the Panthers in 2018-19 when he had 70 points in 82 games.
We have 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. #VegasBorn
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 22, 2022
What the Golden Knights get
The Vegas Golden Knights attempted to acquire defenseman John Moore and the contract of Ryan Kesler. Technically, the Knights are adding salary. On the other hand, Kesler and his $6.875 million contract will be placed on Long Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) for cap relief as soon as the general manager, Kelly McCrimmon, gets a chance to do so and Kesler’s contract will end this offseason.
“The rationale behind the move is a number of fronts,” McCrimmon said Monday. “It’s the ability to make a move that’s going to help us manage our salary cap for the remainder of this season, but just as importantly, it also gives us a lot more flexibility heading into the offseason.”
Moore who is a former Ducks in the Hampus Lindholm trade is currently injured. McCrimmon reported that Moore, in the meantime, will be staying home in Boston. Until now, VGN’s plan for Moore is still vague but is believed to have three options. They are either to place him on LTIR, send him to American Hockey League (AHL), or play him.
This season, the 31-year-old defenseman played in seven games with one assist in the 2021-22 season. He has played in a total of over 540 games in the NHL. The Golden Knights will be his sixth team, after the Ducks. The Illinois-native has a year left on a $2.75-million-per-season contract.