Kesler's (hip) contract will return to the Ducks from Vegas after the deal that sent it to the Knights was voided by the NHL on Wednesday.
While this deal will have no impact on Kesler, who is essentially retired due to his hip problem, it puts Vegas in a tough cap spot having to take back Evgenii Dadonov and his $5 million salary. With Kesler's contract expiring this offseason, the Ducks won't be impacted by having to hold onto his $6.875 million cap hit for the rest of the 2021-22 campaign.
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Golden Knights' Ryan Kesler: Traded to Vegas
Rotowire
Anaheim traded Kesler (hip) and John Moore to Vegas in exchange for Evgenii Dadonov and a second-round draft pick Monday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
The Golden Knights needed to move Dadonov's money off the books and, in return, will stash Kesler on their long-term injured reserve list until he hits free agency this offseason. The 37-year-old forward hasn't played since the 2018-19 campaign and is not expected to make an NHL return.
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Ducks' Ryan Kesler: NHL career likely over
Rotowire
Kesler is not expected to return to the NHL after multiple hip surgeries, Adam Kimelman of NHL.com reports.
Kesler hasn't appeared in an NHL contest since the 2018-19 campaign, when he scored just eight points with a minus-19 rating in 60 games. He's on the final year of his six-year, $41.25 million contract and is expected to officially retire after that. The 37-year-old center racked up 573 points, 920 PIM and 1,285 hits through 1,001 games with Anaheim and Vancouver. Kesler was the league's Selke Trophy winner and helped lead the Canucks to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010-11.
