Ryan Kessler hilariously takes to social media after his trade to Vegas was voided
The National Hockey League's trade deadline day has to be nerve-wracking for everyone involved, but mainly as a player if you know, you're about to be moved to a new team to start over. On the one hand, it can be seen as a fresh start for the latter part of the NHL's regular season and playoffs; on the other, it can most certainly heighten a player's anxiety, going to a new city, a new team and in most cases a unique, unfamiliar atmosphere.
That's what was on the horizon for Evgeni Dadonov, as he was traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Anaheim Ducks, or so we thought. This trade also included the contract of Ryan Kessler going the other way to Vegas, among other moving parts.
There was only one problem, Dadonov, who had a limited 10 team no-trade clause, had the Ducks on his list of no-fly destinations. After reviewing the deal for Dadonov, the NHL voided the trade. It was found out that the Ottawa Senators didn't communicate Dadonov's no-trade list properly when the Knights acquired him over the summer. Dadonov had to go back to the team that just paid a second-round pick to ship him out of town.
Dadonov, 33, has 27 points in 62 games so far this season, including 15 goals and 12 assists in what many consider to be a down year for the forward. He still has 1 year left on his current deal at 5 million dollars, making this blunder by both the Knights and Sens costly as it could mean Dadonov never finds a new home in the NHL.
Leave it to Ryan Kessler, the "player" going the other way in this deal gone sideways to add some much-needed levity to what appears to be a tense situation.
It's clear Kesler isn't taking this whole situation too seriously, which is great to see. But given the salary cap implications I'm not sure the Knights could afford another Jack Eichel type welcome.
| POLL | ||
do you feel for Dadonov | ||
| Yes | 146 | 61.3 % |
| No | 92 | 38.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
