Confirmed Signing with Link: [ANA] Kodie Curran signs with the Ducks (2 years, $1M AAV)

[Kobe Armstrong]

30 year old Canadian UFA playing in the SHL. It will be interesting to see if he signs a NHL/AHL contract for next season.

He's a 6"2 LHD, and was the 2nd leading scorer in the SHL last year with 49 points in 48 games. He was Rogle's leading scorer by a mile.

I'm mostly interested in him because he's taken a crazy path to the SHL and I don't think anyone expected him to be this productive. He played in the AJHL, then spent 5 years at the University of Calgary, then played a season in the ECHL before playing seasons in Denmark and Norway before moving to the SHL.

His production in the SHL is better than his production in Norway and Denmark, so I'm curious if this was a fluke season from him.

From his highlights, he has a big shot and is a great passer, but seems to be a defensive liability.

He's from Calgary so maybe the Flames take a shot on him.

Kodie Curran at eliteprospects.com

Click to read more...

 

[themelkman]

I love seeing Usports players getting into the league. I hope someone gives him a chance

 

[Junohockeyfan]

He was a dman as well. Where did this guy come from??

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Flames are pretty deep at LD and just signed the second leading scoring D In the SHL, Johannes Kinvall, who is 23.

 

[The Great Mighty Poo]

13/10 name.

 

[hypereconomist]

There was a little bit of hype when TBL invited him to camp a couple years ago... but then he didn't even make their AHL team. What was the story on that?

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Anyone seen him play? With all the Euro signings I think someone will give him a shot

 

[greasysnapper]

Anyone seen him play? With all the Euro signings I think someone will give him a shot

You asked me this in the Brome thread, and right before I was going to answer, something came up. I've seen his team play last season in the SHL and back when he was playing in Hartford but truthfully I was not watching him. I was watching Elvenes and Hoglander last playoffs and from what I do remember he's sort of your traditional PP specialist. Big lefty shot, but also has a sneaky wrister that is deceptive. I don't think he's as good of a passer as people say at least not from what I have seen (again, I was not watching him persay-- just sometimes you notice him for good or bad reasons particularly on the PP), when he's uncontested he makes good crisp passes, but when pressure is tacked on he's not as strong. I also don't think he has the footwork to make it in the NHL, nor do I think he'll get signed to an AHL deal. And truthfully for his sake, I think at his age, he's better off staying in the SHL, or maybe following the money around Europe and carving out a great career that way. If I'm his age and where he's at in his development, as long as my heart could take being apart from my close family, I'd much rather go through the euro circuit for more money and hotter women than ride the busses across America. I'd be surprised if he gets an NHL deal, but we'll see.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

You asked me this in the Brome thread, and right before I was going to answer, something came up. I've seen his team play last season in the SHL and back when he was playing in Hartford but truthfully I was not watching him. I was watching Elvenes and Hoglander last playoffs and from what I do remember he's sort of your traditional PP specialist. Big lefty shot, but also has a sneaky wrister that is deceptive. I don't think he's as good of a passer as people say at least not from what I have seen (again, I was not watching him persay-- just sometimes you notice him for good or bad reasons particularly on the PP), when he's uncontested he makes good crisp passes, but when pressure is tacked on he's not as strong. I also don't think he has the footwork to make it in the NHL, nor do I think he'll get signed to an AHL deal. And truthfully for his sake, I think at his age, he's better off staying in the SHL, or maybe following the money around Europe and carving out a great career that way. If I'm his age and where he's at in his development, as long as my heart could take being apart from my close family, I'd much rather go through the euro circuit for more money and hotter women than ride the busses across America. I'd be surprised if he gets an NHL deal, but we'll see.

Thank you!

 

[Halla]

im guessing AHL contract

 

[Brodeur]

Spotted an article today: Curran's, long, improbable hockey journey keeps NHL dream alive at 30

It also made NHL teams take notice. Despite being 30, the dream of playing in the NHL isn’t over for Curran.

In fact he’s very close to signing an NHL contract.

Curran says that would mean to the world to him.

“Yeah I think that would be the cherry on the top," he said, "if this were to end in an NHL contract.”

 

[Brodeur]

Framtiden för Kodie Curran

Article mentions Anaheim as one of the interested parties, although Curran might have previously had an agreement with Omsk of the KHL for 2020-21. Writer seems unsure what the arrangement might be.

 

[Brodeur]

Uppgifter: Miljonsumman som Curran fick betala KHL-klubben för att spela i NHL

According to this Swedish site (assuming the Google translation isn't too butchered), Curran bought his way out of his KHL deal and will be signing a two year, one way deal with Anaheim at 900K/season.

 

[Gliff]

Just what Anaheim needs. Another LHD :/

Low risk with potential. Just kinda crazy how many 5-7 defensemen Anaheim has: Djoos, Larsson, Hakanpaa, Mahura, Guhle. I think only Mahura is waiver exempt. Might be wrong.

 

[SEALBound]

13/10 name.

My first though was "Now that's a hockey name!"

Not quite Zarley Zalapski or Kappo Kakko but it's good.

 

[gilfaizon]

Quack quack. Hes rumored to be a Duck

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Just what Anaheim needs. Another LHD :/

Low risk with potential. Just kinda crazy how many 5-7 defensemen Anaheim has: Djoos, Larsson, Hakanpaa, Mahura, Guhle. I think only Mahura is waiver exempt. Might be wrong.

Your valid point aside, there probably isn't a team that provides a better opportunity for this type of Dman to try prove himself, if he's capable of course. There's plenty of defensive insulation, but the group is crying out for offensive punch. As of now, the team's best option to QB a powerplay would arguably be Djoos (barring that Fowler who has never been more than average on the PP), compared to most teams that has to be about as clear of a path as this guy was likely to find anywhere.

 

[LeonDraisaitl]

Oh hey atta boy! He got signed

 

[uncleben]

He's in the NHL database on Anaheim now, so probably going to get confirmation later today, I imagine.

And for what it's worth, CapFriendly is listing it too

 

[Deadpool8812]

im guessing AHL contract

Probably not worth it for him then as he is likely making a lot more in Europe

 

[Brodeur]

 

[Canadian Canuck]

Hahaha holy good guess

 

[WhatTheDuck]

im guessing AHL contract

Not sure if you were aware of the KHL deal he had to pay to buy out of, but no way he would have done that for an AHL contract.

 

[Big Empty]

It’s always nice to see late bloomers succeed. I’m happy for him

 

[lwvs84]

Since it is a one-way contract, does it matter if he's playing in NHL or AHL?