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.
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.
Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Expected to miss 2019-20 season
Rotowire
Kesler underwent surgery to repair his injured hip and is slated to miss the entire 2019-20 campaign.
Kesler missed the final 14 games of the 2018-19 campaign due to his hip issue, but now will be forced to miss all of next season. The team was quick to point out that there is still a chance the 34-year-old could play again, but it will certainly be an uphill battle. There's no doubt the center will be placed on long-term injured reserve to start the season in order to provide the team some relief from his $6.875 million cap hit. Several youngsters; including Troy Terry, Sam Steel and Isac Lundestrom, figure to compete for a spot on the 23-man roster with Kesler unavailable.
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Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Likely done for season
Rotowire
Kesler (hip) is facing the prospect of missing the remainder of the 2018-19 campaign, Elliott Teaford of The Orange County Register reports. Interim head coach Bob Murray told reporters, "I don't know if we're going to see him again this year."
Kesler currently isn't skating due to his lingering hip issue and, with just 10 games remaining, is running out of time to return. Add in the fact that the Ducks are all but eliminated from playoff contention and there is little reason to rush the veteran back into the lineup. Instead, the team seems poised to shut the veteran down for the year and let him focus on preparing for the 2019-20 campaign.
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Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Remains sidelined
Rotowire
Kesler (hip) didn't make the trip to Colorado for Friday's game against the Avalanche, NHL.com's Rick Sadowski reports.
The Ducks have yet to release any details regarding a potential timeline for Kesler's return to action, but he's only totaled eight points while posting an ugly minus-19 rating in 60 games this campaign, so there's no reason for fantasy owners to keep tabs on his status anyway. Another update on the veteran pivot should surface once he's cleared to return to practice.
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Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
Kesler (hip) is not in the lineup for Thursday's road game in Arizona, Elliott Teaford of The Orange County Register reports.
Kesler will miss his fourth straight game and all signs point to the veteran not playing again this season, though the team has not yet made such an announcement. His next chance to play is right around the corner, Friday in Colorado.
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Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Remains out Tuesday
Rotowire
Kesler (hip) will sit out of Tuesday's game versus the Predators, Eric Stephens of The Athletic reports.
This will mark the third straight game Kesler misses. His offensive production has been minimal this season, so he won't be missed in the fantasy realm. Derek Grant will continue filling in as the fourth-line center.
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Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Officially considered questionable
Rotowire
Kesler (hip) is considered questionable for Tuesday's game against the Predators, Eric Stephens of The Athletic reports.
Stephens believes Kesler is probably closer to doubtful than questionable ahead of Tuesday's contest, but either way, official word on the veteran pivot's status likely won't surface until the Ducks take the ice for pregame warmups. If he's able to go, Kesler will likely slot into a bottom-six role against Nashville.
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Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Kesler (hip) did not take part in warmups and will not play Sunday versus the Kings, Elliott Teaford of The Orange County Register reports.
Kesler will miss his second straight game with a hip injury, and the team has yet to provide a timeline for his return. The veteran forward had hip surgery back in the 2017 offseason, so this latest setback could be connected, though nothing has been confirmed on that front. Look for the Ducks to provide more details around Kesler's status in the coming days.
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Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Sitting out Friday
Rotowire
Kesler has a hip injury and won't play in Friday's game versus the Canadiens.
Kesler had hip surgery during the 2017 summer and his game hasn't been the same since. It's unclear if the procedure is related to his current condition, but it's not a good sign for the 34-year-old pivot. He'll be replaced in the bottom six by Devin Shore.
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Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Physical in 1,000th game
Rotowire
Kesler registered four hits and two PIM in a 3-1 win over the Coyotes on Tuesday.
Kesler's 1,000th game went by without him registering a point, but he did make an impact in his own way. He's up to 92 hits and 42 PIM in 59 games this year, but with only eight points, he is only a shell of his former self on offense.
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Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Dishes helper in loss
Rotowire
Kesler posted an assist in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Blackhawks.
Kesler also had two shots on goal and two blocked shots while leading Ducks forwards by skating 18:16 in the contest. Kesler has adapted to a bottom-six role this season, with only eight points and a minus-18 rating in the campaign.
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Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Contributes goal in late rally
Rotowire
Kesler potted his fifth goal of the season on four shots in a 4-0 win over the Wild on Tuesday.
Kesler had the middle of the three goals in the Ducks' third-period outburst. The center has seen a reduced role this season, recording only seven points in 52 games while skating 1:15 less per game than last year. With such meager production, he should not be considered viable in fantasy.
