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Ottawa Senators Sign Fredrik Claesson to Two-Way Contract

By Ian Smith

Dec 30, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Fredrik Claesson (49 skates with the puck in the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Devils defeated the Senators 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Fredrik Claesson (49 skates with the puck in the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Devils defeated the Senators 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ottawa Senators are continuing their roster construction for next season, ensuring that their depth is solid and ready to withstand injuries to the lineup.

Their most recent such transaction is with Fredrik Claesson. He has been re-signed to a two-way contract for 1 year. His NHL deal is for $700,000 while his AHL deal is worth $100,000.

Claesson played 16 games with the Senators last season. He was called up in December to the big leagues and recorded 2 assists with the team.

Listed at 6’1’’ and 205 LBS, he doesn’t have great size for a defenseman, but is stronger than his frame would suggest. He’s a solid passer, and consistent enough to provide a stable presence out on the ice.

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This is mainly a depth move for the Senators, because although Claesson is a dependable defenseman, he isn’t expected to necessarily play a huge role on the Senators this season.

The likely scenario is that he begins the season in the AHL and eventually gets called up as the result of an injury.

Erik Karlsson, Dion Phaneuf, Marc Methot, and Mark Borowiecki are entrenched as blue-liners on this team.

Cody Ceci is a restricted free agent, but it seems unlikely that the Senators would let a former first round pick like him go after he has improved on his point totals each season in the NHL.

That leaves one spot in the defensive pairings to compete for. The favorite at this point for that last spot is Chris Wideman.

Highly anticipated prospect Thomas Chabot is being discussed as potentially making the team this Fall, but his recent struggles at development camp put some of that optimism in question.

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The next guy after those two might be Claesson. He’ll definitely get some playing time for the Senators this season. He’s a nice option to have to provide defensive depth.

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