Veteran winger Evgeny Dadonov is still looking for his next NHL landing spot, and he’s not ruling out a professional tryout to get there - even if that means a return to Montreal.
The 37-year-old, who spent a brief stretch with the Canadiens in 2022-2023, remains unsigned after appearing in 24 games with the New Jersey Devils last season. According to Sports-Express reporter Artur Khairullin, Dadonov’s preference is to stay in North America, and he’s open to a tryout contract if that’s what it takes.
"According to my sources, Evgeny wants to stay in North America and is even willing to consider tryout contracts."
- Artur Khairullin
Dadonov’s NHL track record is a long one. Across 641 career games, he has collected 362 points, including 164 goals, over more than a decade in the league. His best offensive season came with the Florida Panthers in 2018-2019, when he put up 70 points.
His stint in Montreal was short-lived. Dadonov totaled 18 points in 50 games before being moved to the Dallas Stars.
A PTO would be a lower-profile route for a player with his résumé, but with the market tightening and training camp only a few weeks away, it may be one of the few realistic ways for him to work his way back into an NHL job.
That’s especially notable given how last season unfolded. Dadonov, listed at 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, managed just 1 point with New Jersey after recording 40 points in 80 games with Dallas the year before.
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