The Anaheim Ducks have made an intriguing free agency splash by signing defenseman Kodie Curran, the reigning MVP of the Swedish Hockey League. Curran has inked a two-year, one-way contract with the Ducks that carries a $1MM AAV, reports numerous sources including the OC Register.
To say that Curran has had an unconventional path to the NHL would be an understatement. The 30-year-old was never drafted after playing his developmental years with AJHL and USports. He played two seasons in the minors in North America before embarking on a career in Europe in 2016. Over the past four years, he has played in Demark, Norway, and Sweden, dominating in all three countries. He won a championship in each of his single seasons in the top Danish and Norse leagues and was an All-Star and top defenseman each year as well. The highlight of his career came this past season in the SHL, when he recorded 49 points in 48 games for Rogle BK to lead all defensemen in assists and points, to lead all imports in points, and to take home the honors of Defenseman of the Year and MVP.
His greatest challenge will now come in the NHL though and he will face an uphill battle to make the Anaheim roster before he even has a chance at regular action at the top level. The Ducks have six defensemen on one-way contracts already signed for next season, including four making $4MM or more against the cap. This does not include RFA defender Jacob Larsson, who will also be back with the team. They also have young blue liners like Brendan Guhle and Josh Mahura who will push for opportunity. Curran will need to be at his best to make the Opening Night roster and to stick in Anaheim. However, he has shown an impeccable ability to rise to the occasion in recent years and it will be exciting to see if he does so again in his newest venture.
“The Anaheim Ducks have made an intriguing free agency splash”
Well, Zach, this is definitely a weird one. Is Trader Bob thinking he’s going to bury him in San Diego eventually? A left-shot “D” who gets tagged with the strange quote of “Curran is a terrific passer and puck handler, but can play a risky game” (Fredrik Söderström 2018 ). While that could be somewhat lost in translation, it might be interpreted as “he’s something of a riverboat gambler.” Unless they plan on moving more expensive parts out for no good reason, this one’s a head-scratcher. Guys are pulling the chute in droves to get out of the AHL and go to the European Tour for their own reasons. At age 30, he should know the tell-tale signs of being hornswoggled by now. It will be interesting to see what they really have planned for him.
What are you even talking about
He’s talking about that drunk in the GM chair in Anaheim that somehow keeps his job year after year.
Well, Dave, I might not have gone quite that far, but he occasionally makes these “what were you thinking” moves that are somewhat out there. This guy is 30, not 20, and it’s really hard to imagine the motive for signing him. Almost makes you wonder if he has a couple of compromising Polaroids with the name “Samueli” scribbled on them… ~_~ Either that, or Trader Bob lost a bet…
What’s the downside to offering a roster spot to an SHL MVP? It’s negligible. And if he’s actually a functional NHL d man that’s great depth for $1,000,000. It’s a no brainer move.
@SuperSinker – As Zach stated above, they already have 6 D on one-way deals already, with Larsson needing a new contract. Our point was, “it’s all full at the inn.” It’s probably not going to be a cap thing with Anaheim, but contract slots fill up in a hurry when you don’t pay attention to what you’re doing.
That would make sense except the Ducks do have a lot coming off the books this offseason. They currently have 48 of 50 contracts right now but have Irwin, Del Zotto, Kloos, Eaves, Wideman, Pietila, Poturalski, Criscuolo, Mueller, Boyle, and Miller all qualifying for UFA. Even if Miller resigns again, that’s 9 more contract spots, 11 in total.