The NHL has determined that the Ottawa Senators will not be required to forfeit their 2026 first-round draft pick in connection with a cancelled 2022 trade involving winger Evgenii Dadonov. The league’s decision reverses the original punishment that had been tied to Ottawa’s role in the failed transaction between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Anaheim Ducks.
In the original 2022 incident, a trade sending Evgenii Dadonov from Vegas to Anaheim was voided after it became clear that Dadonov’s contractual no-trade protections had not been properly accounted for. The situation prompted league scrutiny and ultimately led to discipline for the Senators organization, including the requirement that the club forfeit a first-round pick in a future draft. That forfeiture was scheduled to take effect in the 2026 NHL draft.
With the new ruling, the Senators retain control of their first-round selection in 2026. The league’s announcement brings clarity to Ottawa’s draft outlook, allowing the organization to proceed with long-term planning without the previously looming loss of a top pick. For a team building around a young core, preservation of a first-round selection is a significant competitive consideration, affecting both prospect acquisition and potential trade discussions.
The 2022 Dadonov situation drew attention around the league because it highlighted the complexities of managing no-trade clauses, contract records, and trade call procedures among multiple clubs and the league office. The cancelled deal also underscored how miscommunication or incomplete information about player protections can impact roster moves and competitive balance.
By deciding that Ottawa will keep its 2026 first-round pick, the NHL closes a key chapter in the aftermath of the voided trade. The decision removes a major future penalty from the Senators’ books and allows both the club and the league to move forward from an episode that had raised questions about process, accountability, and communication in transaction reporting. No additional sanctions or changes connected to the Dadonov trade situation were announced in this update.
