Canadiens and Stars Exchange Forwards
The NHL Trade Deadline is heating up. The Montreal Canadiens got into the action trading Evgenii Dadonov to the Dallas Stars in exchange for forward Denis Gurianov.
The Canadiens have acquired forward Denis Gurianov from the Dallas Stars in exchange for forward Evgenii Dadonov.#GoHabsGohttps://t.co/99uKmhQaJm
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 26, 2023
In addition, the Canadiens will retain 50 percent of Dadonov’s salary. Prior to the start of the 2022-23 season, the Canadiens acquired Dadonov from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Shea Weber. Weber has now been shipped to Arizona by the Golden Knights.
Dadonov was entering the final year of his deal and was thought to play a big role in the top six for the Canadiens. That has not played out as Dadonov has recorded 18 points (four goals and 14 assists) in 50 games with the Canadiens this season.
In 463 career NHL regular season games with the Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Golden Knights and Canadiens, the 33-year-old has recorded 283 points (128 goals and 155 assists).
The Canadiens did what rebuilding teams are supposed to do. Gurianov has been really bad this season for the Stars, but he's still young, potential is there for sure. Low risk-high reward for Montreal. The change of scenery could definitely help Gurianov. pic.twitter.com/eIXei0lAZT
— Rono (@RonoAnalyst) February 26, 2023
Gurianov, who played a big role for the Stars in their run to the Stanley Cup Final in the 2020 bubble playoff, has tallied just nine points (two goals and seven assists). In 257 games with the Stars, Gurianov has recorded 103 points (46 goals and 57 assists).
Both struggling players are in need of a change of scenery as Dadonov looks to play a role for the Stars in their middle six, while Gurianov looks to fit into what the young Canadiens are building.
Golden Knights Acquire Ivan Barbashev
The other trade of the day saw the Golden Knights acquire Ivan Barbashev from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for 2021 first-round pick Zach Dean.
Trade details:
To #VegasBorn: Ivan Barbashev
To #stlblues: Zach Dean (2021 1st Round Pick)Credit to @DarrenDreger with the first report.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 26, 2023
The Blues are in seller’s mode as they have made several trades over the last couple of weeks including trading Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola to the Rangers, and Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari to the Maple Leafs.
Ivan Barbashev, acquired by VGK, is a playmaking middle-six forward who shoots the puck very rarely but occasionally shows a nice scoring touch. Defensive issues limit his effectiveness as a centre. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/UCfgc1b8be
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) February 26, 2023
As noted, Barbashev is a solid middle-six forward that can add offensive punch to the Golden Knights offense. In 59 games with the Blues this season, Barbashev has recorded 29 points (10 goals and 19 assists) along with 36 penalty minutes.