Apparently Fredrik Claesson has done enough to prove he can still play. The Carolina Hurricanes have signed the 26-year old defenseman to a one-year, two-way contract that carries a $700K salary at the NHL level after previously being in training camp on a professional tryout.
Claesson spent last season with the New York Rangers where he suited up 37 times and registered six points, but was left without a qualifying offer for the second consecutive summer. The 2011 fifth-round pick had previously spent the first six years of his North American professional career with the Ottawa Senators, and has a total of 164 NHL games under his belt.
It’s unlikely that Claesson will make a big impact for Carolina out of the gate given their impressive defensive depth, but he can serve as a veteran option to fill in for short periods of time. He also gives the team a good option to carry as the extra defenseman on the roster while giving Jake Bean more time in the minor leagues, if the youngster fails to make to opening night lineup. With Trevor van Riemsdyk on the shelf to begin the season and Justin Faulk’s future with the team still uncertain, adding even more depth on the blueline was important.
Though he will need waivers to clear and be assigned to the minor leagues, Claesson could also represent another strong option for the Charlotte Checkers as they look to defend their Calder Cup title in the AHL.
Carolina is award that there are other positions besides defenseman, right?
It’s kind of amazing how they are able to get these guys to there right now. Obviously Fox must have looked at the depth chart and realized he’d have some real competition but I feel this would be the last place to sign a PTO if i were a dman. Same thing goes with Priskie he probably could’ve went to any team he wanted and he decided to go to the deepest D pool in the league lol.
Wow, Waddell collects another bluliner hockey card! Who knew that was going to be more fashionable than the postgame stuff. There will be some dope GM who will overpay for one of these so-called commodities sometime this year. Book it.