SENATORS ACQUIRE A TOUCH OF FLASH AND FLAIR
`He can really shoot it': GM Dorion says new addition Dadonov scores legit goals
There are numerous options about where, exactly, newest Ottawa Senators forward Evgenii Dadonov will play, but general manager Pierre Dorion says those decisions are in the hands of coach D.J. Smith.
Earlier in the day, Dorion officially signed Dadonov to a threeyear, $15-million deal, the biggest splash the team has yet made in the unrestricted free agent market. The deal calls for Dadonov to make $3.5 million next season, $5 million in 2021-22 and $6.5 million in 2022-23.
“I can't tell you who he will play with, that's more of a D.J. Smith question,” Dorion said in a Zoom call with the media. “But we know he'll be on the first power play. He has a proven track record on the power play and we all know where our power play was last year, but he's also a guy that can produce five-on-five.”
For those who might have forgotten, the Senators finished dead last on the man advantage in 2019-20, converting on only 14.2 per cent of their chances.
Dadonov, 31, definitely should help in that regard. He's a skilled winger who scored 25 goals (including 11 on the power play) and 22 assists in 69 games with the Florida Panthers last season, and could ultimately serve as a complement to the more physical Brady Tkachuk.
Pressed on the line juggling possibilities, Dorion allowed that there have been conversations.
“Both D.J. and I spoke to him about where he could fit on our team,” Dorion said. “The fact we have players like Tkachuk who can open up ice and we have a player like (third overall draft selection) Tim Stuetzle, who I think is an elite playmaker, whether he plays at centre or the wing. We have some pieces in Ottawa that are definitely players that he can play with.”
For a frame of reference, in the past three seasons with Florida — a second tour of duty with the Panthers — Dadonov has often played with Panthers star Aleksander Barkov, putting up impressive numbers. In 2017-18, Dadonov scored 28 goals and 37 assists in 74 games. In 2018-19, he had 28 goals and 42 assists in 82 games.
In addition to the entry draft that netted the Senators Stuetzle and fellow first-round choices Jake Sanderson and Ridly Greig, Dorion has been busy rejigging the lineup in the past few weeks.
The organization has added goaltender Matt Murray, along with rugged winger Austin Watson and stay-at-home defencemen Josh Brown and
Erik Gudbranson.
Dadonov adds a touch of flair and flash to the mix, helping offset the loss of Anthony Duclair, who scored 23 goals and 17 assists last season, but wasn't offered a qualifying offer and is now testing unrestricted free agency himself.
The Senators aren't expecting Dadonov to be a loud dressing-room presence.
“He's definitely someone we targeted when free agency started,” said Dorion. “For us, he's someone that brings a great offensive baggage to the table. He scores legit goals. He can really shoot it. He competes offensively to score goals. He's not a guy that is a really vocal guy, but he practises hard and he leads by example. Not everyone one of your leaders will be someone that is vocal, but we like the leadership qualities in him. He is someone who will definitely lead by example.”
The Panthers originally drafted Dadonov in the third round (71st overall) of the 2007 entry draft. He made his NHL debut against the Senators in 2010.
After bouncing between the NHL and the American Hockey League for his first three seasons, he returned to Russia and played five seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League. He returned to Florida in 2017.
As busy as the Senators have been, Dorion says the team might not be finished just yet. Considering the current cast of veteran centres — Chris Tierney, Colin White and Artem Anisimov — there could be room for another proven pivot. Unless, of course, the Senators want to open the door for Josh Norris and/or Logan Brown.
“We have a lot of good young prospects and we want to make sure they earn their ice time, which is very important in our plan in how we develop our winning culture,” he said. “At the same time, I don't think we're done. Not that we're going to (do) anything (like a) blockbuster ... we're not going to (change) from the plan and do something irrational. We're happy with the way the draft has gone.”
STUETZLE HAS SURGERY
After suffering a broken arm in practice with the Mannheim Eagles earlier this week, Stuetzle has had surgery. “Our medical staff spoke to him directly,” Dorion said. “Everything is positive and we look forward to him joining Mannheim in six to eight weeks and, at the same time, coming to play for the Senators in the upcoming season.”
WATSON PAYS TRIBUTE TO MCGRATTAN
Watson, acquired in a trade from the Nashville Predators earlier this week, told TSN 1200 Thursday that he would wear number 16 next season. That's a nod to former Senator Brian McGrattan, who helped guide Watson through substance-abuse problems. McGrattan served as a heavyweight in the Senators organization from 2002-03 to 2008, and now works for the Calgary Flames in helping players deal with off-ice mental issues.