CapFriendly is at it again, this time breaking the news that Chase De Leo has re-signed with the Anaheim Ducks. De Leo has agreed to a one-year two-way contract that will pay him just $650K at the NHL level. The 22-year old forward was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets just last month, in exchange for Nicolas Kerdiles.
De Leo was originally selected in the fourth round in 2014, but has proven himself to be an excellent minor league player with the Manitoba Moose. Scoring at least 32 points in each of the last three seasons, it was clear he wasn’t going to leapfrog over the glut of talented young forwards in the Winnipeg system, and would likely be a minor league player for much of his career. Things could potentially be a bit different in Anaheim, where they aren’t nearly as deep up front and especially at the center ice position.
Should the Ducks deal with injuries at the NHL level—something very possible when dealing with Ryan Kesler—there’s a chance that De Leo could get into a few games as a depth option. Unfortunately he is waiver eligible now, so even to be assigned to the minor leagues at the end of camp he’ll have to clear. That actually could hurt his chances of being an injury replacement depending on the circumstances, but we’ll have to wait to find out. Even if he doesn’t see the NHL this season, the San Diego Gulls will be happy to have him in the AHL.