After being non-tendered by New Jersey six weeks ago, defenseman Calen Addison has been looking for his next team. It appears that team will be in a new league. Sport-Express’ Artur Khairullin reports (Telegram link) that Addison is expected to sign with Shanghai of the KHL.
The 26-year-old spent last season playing exclusively in the AHL with Utica, aside from a brief stint playing for Canada’s entry at the Spengler Cup. With the Comets, Addison picked up six goals along with 25 assists, good for fifth on the team in scoring and first among blueliners.
Addison has a total of 152 career NHL games under his belt over parts of four seasons between San Jose and Minnesota. He has fared pretty well offensively in those outings, recording 50 points overall in 16:29 per game of ice time but his defensive play has made it difficult for teams to carry him on an NHL roster as of late.
Between his NHL action and 204 career games at the AHL level, Addison now moves from being classified as a development player to a veteran in the AHL. Teams can only dress six veteran skaters per game at that level; that classification tends to limit options for veteran free agents.
To that end, it’s not entirely surprising that Addison is eyeing an opportunity overseas instead. He should get a chance to play a prominent role offensively for the Dragons and if he fares well on that front and shores up his defensive game, it’s possible that he could get himself back on the radar in North America.