Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Who's Your Daddy?

September 28, 2017, 5:06 PM ET [10 Comments]
Dan Spiegel
Florida Panthers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


The 2007 NHL Draft seems light years away.

When the Florida Panthers drafted Evgenii Dadonov (aka "Daddy") with the 71st overall pick the hope was he'd help provide some offense this franchise has been starving for since it's inception.

After playing a year in Russia he joined Florida's minor league affiliate, the Rochester Americans, in 2009 for his first full season in North America.

He played intermittently with the Panthers the following season, and flashed enough at times to be be invited to the 2011 NHL All-Star Game SuperSkills Competition as one of 12 rookies.

Despite the promise, he failed to gain any traction as a consistent starter in Florida. Having played only 53 games with 20 points, and in the last year of his entry level deal, he was traded with A.J. Jenks to Carolina for Jonathan Matsumoto and Mattias Lindstrom.

He never saw NHL ice again, until now.

In 2012 he went back to Russia to play for Donbass of the KHL. It was then he started to hone his craft. He immediately started getting the ice time he needed to become a more complete player, and the results were proof.

From 2012-2017, he increased his goal production every year (14,15,19,23,30). He joined the KHL's SKA Saint Petersburg in 2014 and was key in helping the team win it's first Gagarin Cup in 2015. Team captain Ilya Kovalchuk was named the MVP, but he refused to accept the award and instead gave it to Dadonov, whom he said deserved it more.

Dadonov scored a record 15 goals during the playoffs as well as adding 5 assists on the way to the championship.

Panthers GM Dale Tallon was beginning to notice Dadonov's progression, and it was reported he was trying to convince Daddy to return to Florida for the last few seasons. There was speculation on if Dadonov wanted to return to Florida, or wanted to play in the NHL at all.

Tallon showed his seriousness this summer by offering a 3-year, $12 million deal. Dadonov accepted and is now back where his professional journey began. However, the makeup of the roster is a lot different than what he remembers.

Back in 2010 Stephen Weiss lead the team in scoring...with 21 GOALS and 49 points. Yes, it was that bad. Mike Santorelli and David Booth finished second and third. Dmitry Kulikov was a rookie. Vets such as Marty Reasoner, Cory Stillman, Bryan McCabe, and Radek Dvorak littered the roster as well. Yes, it was that bad.

Dadonov's 17 points in 36 games was tied with arguably the worst first round draft pick in Panthers history (and there are LOTS of them), Rostislav Olesz.

Yes, it was that bad.

Now you look at the roster and it's a who's who of young, budding stars.

The pain of not re-signing Jaromir Jagr was tough to deal with for Panthers Nation. Tallon also admitted how tough it was to not make an offer after all he meant on and off the ice during his time in the Sunshine State.

Business is business, and Tallon wanted more speed on the right wing for Jonathan Huberdeau, and Sasha Barkov. Dadonov was his man, and he didn't take long to fill the hole.

If first impressions mean something, the Panthers might have improved dramatically on the top line.

"I think, and I said it early on, once they get familiar with each other I think it's going to be a scary line," Panthers coach Bob Boughner said. "You could see that when they get out there and they've got puck control and they've got full speed. I think they're one of the best lines in the league, myself. We'll keep that line going as best as possible. We're happy about the way they've jelled."

This top line has combined for 10 points in two preseason games. Sure it's not against everyone's starting rosters yet, but they are still growing together. It could and should be a frightening line for the opposition.

Huberdeau has scored three goals in two games. After missing over half of last year while recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in the last preseason game, he looks as big, strong, and fast as ever.

"Everything seems to be clicking for me, [Barkov] and [Dadonov] right now," said Huberdeau, who has three goals in two preseason games. "It's an exhibition game, of course; we don't have our full team, but I think our line is clicking right now, so hopefully we can go throughout the whole season."

As with any team, health is the most important variable. With the Panthers, it's especially so. They were an infirmary last year and cannot afford to miss Huberdeau, Barkov, Dadonov, Trocheck, or Vrbata for any extended time.

Anything close to last season in terms of injuries could make it a tough proposition to reach the playoffs. But if Daddy and the top line stay healthy and intact, watch out.

Dan Spiegel
Credentialed Florida Panthers Media
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Join the Florida Panthers Insiders FB Page
Connect with me on Google Plus
Join the Discussion: » 10 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Dan Spiegel
» Goodbye To Hockeybuzz
» Aleksander Barkov Finally Gets His Due
» Marchessault Stings
» Are The Panthers A Tease?
» The Legacy Jagr Left Behind...