By Canadian Press

Senators sign forward Evgenii Dadonov to three-year, $15-million contract

Oct 15, 2020 | 1:07 PM

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators have signed forward Evgenii Dadonov to a three-year, US$15-million contract. 

Dadonov had 47 points (25 goals, 22 assists) in 69 games with the Florida Panthers last season. He led the team with a career-best 11 power-play goals.

The native of Chelyabinsk, Russia, has scored at least 25 goals in each of the last three seasons since returning to the NHL from Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.

Selected by Florida in the third round, 71st overall, of the 2007 NHL draft, Dadonov moved between the Panthers and their American Hockey League affiliate over his first three seasons in North America.

He was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2011-12 season but never played for the NHL club, finishing off his season with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers.

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Dadonov returned to Russia following the expiration of his entry-level contract and hones his game in five seasons in the KHL, two with Donbass HC and three with St. Petersburg SKA. He had 30 goals and 30 assists over 53 games in his final season at St. Petersburg.

Dadonov returned to the Panthers as a free agent on July 1, 2017, agreeing to a three-year, $12 million contract.

Over 281 career NHL games, Dadonov has recorded 202 points (91 goals, 111 assists) and 42 penalty minutes.

“We’re thrilled to have come to an agreement with Evgenii,” Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said in a release. “He’s an elite offensive talent and a very consistent scorer as demonstrated by his point totals over the last three seasons. This is a key signing for us as it adds a player who will help us produce offensively and one with a proven track record on the power-play.”

Dadonov has represented Russia on several occasions and helped his country win gold at the 2007 under-18 championship in Finland and the 2014 world championship in Belarus.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2020.

The Canadian Press