8th year defenseman John Negrin(11) seems to be just starting to find his game.
He played a career high 58 AHL games under contract with Utica Comets recording a best 11 assists and 12 points in 2015/2016.
It was his third season with the team and the 6’2″ 202 lbs. blue liner was just signed for a fourth term.
Originally a Calgary Flames 3rd round pick in the 2007 draft (#70 overall), he played most of three campaigns with affiliate Abbotsford Heat before being dealt to Winnipeg Jets nearing the end of his entry level deal.
He was left unqualified heading into 2012/2013 and signed with Chicago Wolves.
Reassigned for most of the year down to Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL he was recalled and sent to Lake Erie Monsters, where he finished out the season.
He’s shown quite the ability to head man the puck in the WHL, where he had 41 assists in each of his last pair of years with Kootenay Ice, then Swift Current Broncos before turning pro at the end of 2008/2009.
Set to play his first games in the minors he was recalled and ended up finishing out the calendar with his first 3 and only NHL games, getting an assist.
At 27-years old, he may decide that this is his last skate in North America and head overseas at the conclusion of 2016/2017, especially if he can continue to add to his point totals.