The San Jose Sharks have added another depth defenseman, signing Dalton Prout to a one-year $800K contract according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. Prout was an unrestricted free agent after spending last season with the Calgary Flames organization.
The 29-year old Prout has bounced around the last few years, providing a physical presence for the Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils and Flames in short stints but never hits the ice for any consistent playing time. In 20 games last season for the Flames he recorded one goal and one assist, but certainly isn’t known for his offensive contributions.
It’s his fighting skill that mostly got Prout noticed in Columbus, where he totaled 19 scraps over the years. He never did get a chance to drop the gloves in Calgary, but will likely be asked to serve that role if he ever gets up to the NHL level with the Sharks. In the bruising Western Conference, GM Doug Wilson has often brought in some toughness as the playoffs near to give his team a little bit of an edge on the ice.