Patience helps Claesson cash in
SHORT HILLS, N.J. Fredrik Claesson signed on the dotted line Monday.
The Senators defenceman, who has done a solid job in his platoon role this year and was set to become a restricted free agent this summer, signed a one-year, $650,000 contract extension.
Claesson, 24, a fifth-round pick in 2011 (No. 126 overall), has suited up for only 19 games this season, but the Senators like him because he keeps his mouth shut and when he steps in he gets the job done and he has been a good soldier for the organization.
It’s the first one-way contract of his career, and to celebrate he went for dinner with captain Erik Karlsson, Karlsson’s father Jonas and Claesson’s father Kenneth after the club’s 3-2 loss to the Jets on Sunday.
“I’m really excited and I’m happy they believe in me and that I can keep going here,” said Claesson after the club’s arrival in New Jersey Monday night. “It’s been taking a little while for me. I’ve just got to stay patient, keep doing what I’m doing and we’ll see what happens.”
GM Pierre Dorion was pleased to keep Claesson in the fold.
“Freddy is someone we’ve homegrown, drafted, did his time in the minors and really developed well,” Dorion said. “He’s shown us significant progress in his game, he’s an NHL defenceman with a lot of versatility who can move up and down our lineup.”
After 250 American Hockey League games, it’s been a long road to get here for Claesson.
“I kind of knew when I signed here I was going to take it easy, try and develop and try to get better. I knew it was going to take a little while, but I’m happy I’m here and that we’ve got this done,” he said.
Heck, he even took a few shifts at forward Sunday when the Senators were hit by injuries in their loss to Winnipeg.
“I felt pretty lost out there when I was a forward. Hopefully I don’t ever have to do that again,” Claesson said with a smile. “I played goalie when I was a kid. I’ve never been a forward.”