This is a tumultuous off-season for the Florida Panthers’ roster. Reilly Smith and Jon Marchessault found new homes at the expansion draft, Jussi Jokinen was bought out, and Jaromir Jagr will be finding a new home unrestricted free agency. That leaves a lot of holes among their top-9 wingers, and one of those was filled with Evgeni Dadonov of the KHL:

Hearing Dadonov will get three years in FLA with an AAV of $4M: https://t.co/ym1pzfT079

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 1, 2017

Dadonov turned 28 years old in March, and had 112 points in his last 112 regular season KHL games. If his name sounds familiar to NHL fans, it’s because he’s played at both the World Championship for several years now, as well as the World Cup this past fall. The Russian was also originally drafted by the Panthers a decade ago. He had been rumoured to be Vegas-bound with former teammate Vadim Shipachyov, but those rumours are, obviously, unfounded.

Fantasy Impact

First, it’s important to note that Dadonov is a left shot. He can play both wings, so he could fit on Florida's top line, but both Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau are left shots as well. Unless the Florida coaching staff intends to put three lefties together – which I doubt – then Dadonov is destined for the second line alongside Vincent Trocheck.

Playing on the second line doesn’t kill Dadonov’s fantasy value, but it certainly doesn’t maximize it, either. Barkov will probably lead the forwards in five-on-five ice time, which means a little less for their new signing.

There should be an open spot on the top power-play unit with Smith (a lefty) no longer in the lineup. He has shown the ability to finish in the KHL (though he’s not a volume shooter, much like Smith).

All the wingers the team lost over the last few weeks need replacing. There are also a lot of minutes to take up. Perhaps Dadonov does not end up in the top tier for ice time, but he should consistently see top-six minutes, and top power-play time. The peripherals won’t be there to support a strong roto season, but he should be fine in points-only leagues. I would expect a season similar to what Sam Gagner had last year: roughly 20 goals, 30 assists, 15-20 power-play points, and low peripheral stats like shots and penalty minutes.

**UPDATE

It appears as though they are going to look to use Dadonov on the top line. That would definitely be a big boost to his overall fantasy value: 

More Tallon, Dadonov likely to play with 11-16. Said he's been after him for 3 years to come over. Wants to be a Panther. #FlaPanthers

— Steve Goldstein (@goldieonice) July 1, 2017

If Dadonov plays 17-18 minutes a night on the top line with top PP minutes, that has all the makings of a 60-point player. Whether he stays there is another question, but the plan seems to be to give him the opportunity.