Devils’ Evgenii Dadonov to miss next two games with fractured hand

Stein stated that the 36-year-old will be re-evaluated when the team returns to New Jersey next week. Dadonov will at least miss the Devils’ matchups with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. The team’s first home game of the season is scheduled for next Thursday against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Dadonov was in action for the team’s season opener on Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, and was hit in the hand by a shot. He played two shifts in the third period before his night ended prematurely after not being able to grip his stick. Initial X-rays came back negative. Dadonov registered 9:32 of ice time across 14 shifts, putting two shots on goal, though the Devils fell to the Canes, 6-3. It was the Russian winger’s first game with the Devils. He signed a one-year contract for the season, with a $1 million cap hit. Dadonov had spent the previous three campaigns with the Dallas Stars and is expected to bring a veteran presence, with some offensive prowess, to a team that has expectations to contend in the competitive Metropolitan Division. With Dallas last year, Dadonov potted 20 goals and 20 assists for 40 points in 80 games. It was the first time he hit the 20-goal and 40-point mark since the 2021-22 season, when he was with the Vegas Golden Knights. He added another four points in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games. In 618 NHL regular-season games, Dadonov has scored 163 goals and 198 assists for 361 points, with another 22 points in 55 postseason games.