It was a trade that was more business than a player for a player. Today, the Vegas Golden Knights obtained Montreal Canadiens’ former captain and defenseman Shea Weber for Evgenii Dadonov.
Related: Canadiens Shea Weber’s Crazy Contract: Why Teams Don’t Sign Them Anymore
This Was Not a Typical Trade
The truth is that Weber didn’t play at all during the 2021-22 season because of the added impact of multiple injuries on his body. The other truth is that he’s not likely to play again. However, because of the way his contract is designed, it’s a benefit for the Golden Knights. [Read the related link above to learn more.]
Weber’s contract will stay on the Golden Knights’ books, but the team will benefit from the long-term salary-cap relief they receive by putting Weber (and his contract for the next four seasons – a salary-cap total of $7,857,143) onto LTIR.
Tributes from the Canadiens to Weber
It isn’t believed that Weber will ever be able to play again. He was a warrior who was beaten by the battle. The Canadiens’ management acknowledged that fact when Canadiens’ general manager Kent Hughes noted that:
“First of all, I would like to thank Shea for all that he has done for and represented to the Montreal Canadiens. Not only was Shea an exceptional hockey player who played through significant injuries in an attempt to bring the Stanley Cup back to Montreal, (but) he was also a great leader whose leadership will have a positive impact on our team well beyond his time with us.”
Then Hughes turned his attention to his new player when he noted “I also want to welcome Evgenii Dadonov to our organization. He is a talented forward who has produced at all levels since the start of his career.” Weber played 1,038 NHL games in his career, and scored 224 goals and added 365 assists (for 589 points). He was drafted during the second round (49th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
Montreal Trades a Contract for a Player
By bringing in Dadonov, Montreal gets a player who can still produce. Last season Dadonov scored 20 goals and added 23 assists (for 43 points) in 78 games for Vegas. Dadonov has another season at a salary-cap hit of $5 million.
As noted, the trade was as much of (or more of) a business decision that a hockey trade. Because the Golden Knights can stash Weber on long-term injured reserve, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports, they will get the salary-cap relief they tried to find when they had worked on a Dadonov trade to the Anaheim Ducks.
The 33-year-old Dadonov finished the season on a run; and, he should have a good chance to earn a top-six spot with the Canadiens.
Related: NHL Quick Hits: Hutton (Leafs), Gaudreau (Flames), Guhle (Canadiens)
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