Evgenii Dadonov’s run with the New Jersey Devils appears to be heading toward an early finish.
Reports from Russia point to the veteran winger returning to the KHL, with Traktor Chelyabinsk expected to be the destination after a frustrating lone season in New Jersey. The move would close the book on a stint that never really got off the ground.
Dadonov signed a one-year, $1 million deal for the 2025-26 season, but injuries kept interrupting any chance at momentum. He appeared in just 24 regular-season games and finished with one goal. For a player brought in to provide reliable depth and finishing touch, that’s a tough outcome for both sides.
The season started badly and never truly recovered. A hand injury in the opener set him back right away, and later injury issues kept him out again. Without consistent availability, he never had the runway to settle into a role or build chemistry with the group around him.
That lack of production and continuity makes a return to Russia look like a natural next move. At this stage of his career, Dadonov may be looking for a cleaner reset, and the KHL offers that possibility.
New Jersey, meanwhile, kept reshaping its roster around him. On July 1, the Devils signed Connor Brown to a four-year deal and brought in Dadonov on his one-year contract. They also added Cody Glass, acquired Thomas Bordeleau, and worked to deepen the lineup with a focus on balance and flexibility.
The message from the front office was clear: add speed, improve the penalty kill, and create more options through the middle of the lineup. Brown fit that plan.
Glass and Bordeleau added more competition and depth. The summer was about fine-tuning, not tearing anything down.
That’s why Dadonov’s likely departure doesn’t change the larger picture in New Jersey. The Devils still see themselves as a team with a real window, even if they remain a step behind the league’s very top tier. The core is in place; what they need now is healthier seasons, steadier scoring, and better contributions from the supporting cast.
The 2025-26 outlook still points to a competitive Devils team, but the margin is thin. Their top players have to carry the offense.
The goaltending has to hold. And the new additions need to help right away.
If that happens, New Jersey can stay in the playoff mix and push for a top-three spot in the division. If it doesn’t, another season of chasing could be waiting.
The futures market reflects that same middle ground. The Devils are listed at +3000 for the 2027 Stanley Cup, behind the Hurricanes at +700 or +750 and the Avalanche at +700. It’s a number that shows respect for the upside, but also the gap New Jersey still has to close.
Dadonov’s likely exit won’t define the offseason, but it does mark the end of a short, uneven chapter. He came in with experience and a chance to help.
Injuries took that chance away. Now both sides seem ready to move on.
In Other News...
Luke Hughes Is Facing A Devils Problem Most Young Stars Don't
Luke Hughes first full season as one of the Devils key young defensemen never really got a clean runway. His $9 million average annual value deal was signed in the middle of training camp after a holdout, which meant he missed all of camp and the preseason before trying to settle into a bigger role on the fly. From there, the season became a stop-start grind, but there were still signs late that his game was beginning to trend in the right direction.
The numbers suggest there is more offense waiting to come once the rest of the package catches up. Hughes was on the ice for plenty of high-danger chances and the finishing around him was far below what the Devils would want to see over the long term, while his own shooting luck also lagged. The bigger question now is whether the injury interruption and the uneven start have only delayed the breakout, or whether they have left him with a tougher offseason than most young stars have to navigate. [Read more 🡒]
Why Brett Pesce Says This Devils Charity Event Hits Different
Brett Pesce is set to take part in the Shoulder Check Showcase charity game on July 30 at Martire Family Arena, a summer event that has become a meaningful stop on the hockey calendar for a cause far bigger than the game itself. The Devils defenseman will be among several NHL players expected to join the showcase, which benefits the HT40 Foundation and its push to raise mental health awareness while encouraging people to check in on others.
The event carries a different kind of weight because of what it represents, and because of how much it has grown as more players have wanted to be involved. Trevor Zegras and Chris Kreider are among the names expected to participate, giving the showcase the kind of star power that helps spread the message beyond one rink and one night. [Read more 🡒]