Ottawa Senators‘ 6th year defenseman (2 in Sweden’s SHL) Fredrik Claesson(49) has finally realized it’s time for his first NHL recall and is making the most of the opportunity.
He welcomes the new year 2016 up with the big club.
In three games, he’s played an escalating amount of shifts and time on ice, culminating in his third appearance in which he was out there 25 times for a fourth best on the team (2nd among blue liners) 20:46.
They also got their first goals and a win in three tries of a 3-2 overtime battle.
He was likely rewarded for his play even after a pair of defeats as his stats are impressive with a total of 3 shots, 5 hits, 5 break ups, 2 takeaways and only one giveaway with a combined 1:36 short-handed time.
The now 23-year old, who signed for a year extension from his original entry level deal, may have just played himself into a more permanent spot in the show.
Fredrik Claesson(3) Binghamton Senators
Ottawa Senators‘ 5th round pick in the 2011 draft (#126 overall) Swedish-born defenseman Frederik Claesson(3) already had two seasons of professional play in the SHL with Djurgarden under his belt before committing to North American minor league hockey with affiliate Binghamton Senators.
The slightly bigger looking than 6′ 205 lbs. blue liner was never really a point producer throughout short playing career but since coming over this way to skate has seen his numbers on the uptick.
In his rookie campaign he put up a modest 3 goals and 8 assists with a +4 rating in 70 AHL games but this season is blowing the lid of those marks.
Through 48 contests, he may have put up less goals with 2, but has new career highs in assists (20), points (22) and holds onto a massive +28 plus/minus, currently good for third overall.
The only 21-year old is signed to a three-year entry level deal that runs through 2014/2015 and look for him to get his shot at cracking the NHL lineup or possibly get moved as the club has good depth at defense.
Original story 2/11-14
As his initial contract is set to run its course, Ottawa Senators re-up for another year with the blue liner that played in a career high 76 AHL games for affiliate Binghamton Senators and scored a new best 4 goals but managed only 15 assists (down 11 from last season).
Although he has yet to realize his first NHL call-up and maybe struggled a bit in his third campaign, the still young 22-year old should still compete for a roster spot out of training camp with the big club.