Stars' Evgenii Dadonov, Jani Hakanpaa fighting knee injuries

Dallas Stars forward Evgenii Dadonov and defenseman Jani Hakanpaa are both dealing with knee injuries.

General manager Jim Nill announced at his end-of-season press conference Thursday that Dadonov has a Grade 2 MCL sprain and would likely have missed the Stanley Cup Final if the Stars had advanced.

The Vegas Golden Knights eliminated Dallas in six games in the Western Conference finals.

Dadonov, 34, was injured in a Game 3 collision with teammate Roope Hintz and did not play in the last three games of the series. Nill did not say whether Dadonov would require surgery.

The Stars acquired Dadonov from Montreal at the trade deadline, and he is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Dadonov posted 33 points (seven goals, 26 assists) in 73 games with the Canadiens and Stars in 2022-23. He has 298 points (131 goals, 167 assists) in 486 career games with five teams.

Nill said Hakanpaa, who battled a back injury during the postseason, will have knee surgery during the offseason.

Hakanpaa, 31, tallied 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) and played all 82 games in 2022-23. He has 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 224 career games with the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes and Stars.