Veteran mind of Dadonov could prove beneficial for Stars offense

In a lot of ways, the Stars used their trade deadline currency in the off-season.
In acquiring Mason Marchment, Colin Miller and Nils Lundkvist Dallas not only gave up a ton of cap space but also two draft picks (this year's first and a fourth in 2025). So finding something to add that would work both on the ice and in the budget was a challenge.
But the Stars might have done just that. In acquiring Evgenii Dadonov from the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, Dallas has found a player who has scored goals in the past, and also is familiar with the current Stars coaching staff.

In trading Denis Gurianov and his $2.9 million cap hit and acquiring Dadonov's $2.5 million cap hit (Montreal retained half of his $5 million salary), the Stars actually get about $400,000 in wiggle room that could help create an environment where they don't have to send forwards to the minors after every game to be cap compliant.
"He's been a proven goal-scorer in the NHL," Stars GM Jim Nill said. "This year has been a down year for him, but he's got a history of scoring goal. He adds some offense to us and his comfort level with the coaches is also a big thing. Plus, we save some cap space, so that also helps."
Dadonov, 33, has 18 points (4 goals, 14 assists) in 50 games for the Canadiens this season. However, he has scored 20 or more goals in four of his previous five seasons. Last year with Vegas, Dadonov had 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) in 78 games. The left-handed right wing played in Ottawa the year before and then had a three-year run with Florida where he was one of the top scorers on the team. Dadonov had 47 points (25 goals, 22 assists) in 69 games in 2019-20, tallied a career best 70 points (28 goals, 42 assists) in 82 games in 2018-19, and had 65 points (23 goals, 37 assists) in 74 games in 2017-18.
Dadonov started his career in Florida and was coached by Pete DeBoer, who is now the Stars head coach. Last season, Dadonov played in Vegas, and DeBoer was again head coach, along with assistant coach Steve Spott, who now has a big hand in directing the forwards for the Stars. In other words, there's a lot of familiarity and a lot to like here.
"I think he's going to be a real good fit on the ice with us and in the locker room," DeBoer said. "He's a good pro."
He's also been a good scorer, and the Stars could use the help. Since Jan. 1 they rank 28th in the NHL in scoring at 2.43 goals per game. He might be a good fit on a line with Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment, who have been creating a lot of chances, but are having trouble finding the back of the net. Dadonov could help shake things up.
"He scores from the tough areas of the rink, he goes to the dirty areas of the rink, where the playoff goals are scored," DeBoer said. "He's a fearless guy. He's not big 5-11, 189 is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.*