Prospect Info: Tyler Kleven (D) at 44th Overall (Sens traded up)

[Icelevel]

Woohoo
A very important part of our roster. Great job

 

[aragorn]

Good deal for a real good 3rd pairing D.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

I wouldn't call this deal a steal by any means at this stage, but I could be proven very wrong within a year if he keeps improving the way he did in the playoffs.

I think it's okay to acknowledge that Kleven at 1.6M x 2 for what he contributes is fantastic.

But Kleven the 10.2(c) at 1.6M x 2 is a bit higher than expected based on reasonable comparable contracts.

His agent is Craig Oster. AKA the man who holds the keys to the future of our franchise because he's Brady's uncle agent (or is it agent uncle?). I'm not suggesting that Staios laid down and gave them everything they wanted, but it wouldn't shock me if there was an element of picking his battles that might have gone on here. Overpaying Kleven by a few hundred k based on the most optimistic expectations is probably better than going to war with Brady's agent over our #6 D.

 

[dumbdick]

Meh

 

[BUCKLE UP]

Really elevated his game in the playoffs. Great signing.

 

[Wondercarrot]

I won't go as far as you to say I "love" the left side of our D core. It's getting better but still lacks physical play and strong defensive play.

Chabot seems to avoid physical play and seems to lack focus at times, is nonchalant, and goes for big skates rather than quick start-stops. He is not strong defensively, nor dynamic offensively.

Sanderson is developing very well and looking like a potential future Norris type player.

Kleven is developing well too and I hope he becomes more physical in his play going forward.

I like the left side of our D core but there is room for improvement.

He finished 19th in defence scoring, 25th in goals, while playing 2nd unit PP lol
He was a plus 17, played solid D, transitions the puck like a champ.
And is the 30th highest paid defenceman.

wtf do people want from this guy lol

 

[Norris4Norris]

If Kleven keeps getting better and Yakemchuk turns out to be a stud our d-core will be huge and primed for playoff hockey.

 

[Loach]

If Kleven keeps getting better and Yakemchuk turns out to be a stud our d-core will be huge and primed for playoff hockey.

How in all that's sacred does this scouting staff go from the 2020 draft to sweet fck all out of the next 3? It's insane.

 

[Norris4Norris]

How in all that's sacred does this scouting staff go from the 2020 draft to sweet fck all out of the next 3? It's insane.

I know it's crazy how good this team would be if we hit even once in each of those 3 drafts.

But, to play devil's advocate, without the 2020 draft we wouldn't have a team to dress lol.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

I know it's crazy how good this team would be if we hit even once in each of those 3 drafts.

But, to play devil's advocate, without the 2020 draft we wouldn't have a team to dress lol.

I mean, most teams have barely even dressed their 2022 and beyond draft picks, although I will say ours isn't looking great, but not terrible. It's the 2021 draft that was historically awful.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Cowan wasn't a very smart player, that was his biggest hurdle, then the injuries ended his NHL days.

Even with his lack of hockey IQ, if Cowen had Kleven's attitude and work ethic (or just a decent one) he'd probably have put together a nice, tidy career. I know his body was basically toast by 25, but I'm not so sure you can blame that all on genetics and bad luck. Doesn't seem like he ever did the work to come into his frame in the way that a professional athlete (or at least a hockey player) of his size and build needs to do.

I think it's okay to acknowledge that Kleven at 1.6M x 2 for what he contributes is fantastic.

But Kleven the 10.2(c) at 1.6M x 2 is a bit higher than expected based on reasonable comparable contracts.

His agent is Craig Oster. AKA the man who holds the keys to the future of our franchise because he's Brady's uncle agent (or is it agent uncle?). I'm not suggesting that Staios laid down and gave them everything they wanted, but it wouldn't shock me if there was an element of picking his battles that might have gone on here. Overpaying Kleven by a few hundred k based on the most optimistic expectations is probably better than going to war with Brady's agent over our #6 D.

I also think it buys goodwill with Kleven, which can go a long way. The length of this deal is largely about cap dynamics, imo, and very little about a lack of belief or hedging bets on his long-term potential. Unless something drastic happens, there will likely be an attempt to get Kleven locked up for at least another mid-term deal, and probably a longer one. This technical 'overpayment' can act as a pretty meaningful show of good faith and help ease negotiations next time around.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

I mean, most teams have barely even dressed their 2022 and beyond draft picks, although I will say ours isn't looking great, but not terrible. It's the 2021 draft that was historically awful.

Even 2021 will likely not end up historically awful. Ostapchuk should carve out a semi-significant career (likely the best of anyone drafted by us from 2021-2023), Boucher may have something of a career, and a decent amount of 1st rounders are off to rocky starts to their professional careers. Boucher will almost definitely be on many "all-time bust" lists, but Ostapchuk should save the class from that designation.

The issue with our 2022 and 2023 classes is more about lack of picks, especially high ones, but there is still not a single likely NHLer in the group. Probably one or two will make it, but individually they are all real longshots.

 

[jake1]

Kleven has size and a mean streak that we've just seen glimpses of, important things in the playoffs, and important because the team doesn't have much of it. If he ever really figures it out, he could be a beast.

 

[armani]

This is a fair “prove you are worth more deal” that gives the team more cost control in the short term.

Kleven doubles his salary after a good rookie season.

Win-Win. Love Kleven, think he has more to offer than he has shown thus far, the playoffs were a good indicator or how he can be a difference from the blueline. Shows top-4 potential.

 

[Nova Stutzlia]

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Fair deal for both sides. Gives him two years to show what he can do. Under $2 mil for an NHL caliber defensemen is good for us.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

That's a terrific deal

 

[mysens]

This is a great signing, We are saving a chunk of money from no Hamonic, so this little bit of overpay is negligible and shows confidence and commitment to Kleven for the future.

 

[bert]

That’s a fantastic deal. Perfect bottom pair guy with more upside and growth.

Tremendous

Its too short for me, he is going to be a very very good player and a legit top 4 d man that can play in all situations. I would have rather they bought UFA years now.

 

[bert]

I'm not convinced Kleven really can replace Chabot, they occupy completely different roles.

At best, this would give Yakemchuk time to get far enough along to replace Chabot's role, and Kleven would take on Jensen's role only as a partner to Yakemchuk.

He is replacing him in the top 4 LD. I think he could be better than Chabot personally. His puck skills arent quite as good nor his is transportation but he is going to be worlds ahead of him from a physicality and defensive perspective.

Yes Yak will jump into a primary offensive role but I think Kleven is going to produce some offense. I think he is a 10 goal D man by the time he starts to hit his prime. Probably max out at 20 assists though. I wouldnt hate him on the 2nd PP unloading bombs when he matures more.

 

[Micklebot]

Its too short for me, he is going to be a very very good player and a legit top 4 d man that can play in all situations. I would have rather they bought UFA years now.

The trick is if you go to long when it comes time to extend he could be prohibitively expensive, where as in two years, maybe we can extend him right before he proves to be that legit top 4 guy and get a team friendly deal for a bigger chunk of his prime.

I do agree with you though, I see big things in his future and it would have been nice to get some cost certaincy right now

 

[Micklebot]

He is replacing him in the top 4 LD. I think he could be better than Chabot personally. His puck skills arent quite as good nor his is transportation but he is going to be worlds ahead of him from a physicality and defensive perspective.

Yes Yak will jump into a primary offensive role but I think Kleven is going to produce some offense. I think he is a 10 goal D man by the time he starts to hit his prime. Probably max out at 20 assists though. I wouldnt hate him on the 2nd PP unloading bombs when he matures more.

I guess what I was getting at is we can't let go of Chabot without having someone to replace that offensive element, if Yakemchuk busts (I don't think he will but if) then we probably don't want to move on from Chabot too quickly. We could end up finding another option, but offensive minded RHD are tough to come by via trade or UFA.

 

[bert]

I guess what I was getting at is we can't let go of Chabot without having someone to replace that offensive element, if Yakemchuk busts (I don't think he will but if) then we probably don't want to move on from Chabot too quickly. We could end up finding another option, but offensive minded RHD are tough to come by via trade or UFA.

I mean it kinda depends. In a hypothetical deal like this Chabot and Batherson for Lafreniere, Schneider and Othmann. The sens would now have the cap space to sign an offensive minded LD which is actually not the hardest asset to find. I think Kleven will be ready for top 4 minutes very soon so its a deal I would consider doing. Maybe they sign Orlov or something like that. I wish a guy like Ghostesbehere was around as a UFA.

 

[aragorn]

While I like Kleven a lot I'm not sure he has the top 4 skillset that Chabot has & I think this org loves Chabot & will likely extend him rather than trade him when the time comes especially since no one knows what Tkachuk will do given their contracts end at the same time. I think our left side on D is set for at least the next five yrs or longer depending on how Chabot does & how long they extend him.

It's the right side that they are rebuilding as Yak is the first who should be here for a while. They just signed Matinpalo for a couple of yrs & I expect they will add a RD at this yr's draft & could trade for another between now & the trade deadline & likely a young guy that they can extend.

 

[Alf Silfversson]

While I like Kleven a lot I'm not sure he has the top 4 skillset that Chabot has & I think this org loves Chabot & will likely extend him rather than trade him when the time comes especially since no one knows what Tkachuk will do given their contracts end at the same time. I think our left side on D is set for at least the next five yrs or longer depending on how Chabot does & how long they extend him.

It's the right side that they are rebuilding as Yak is the first who should be here for a while. They just signed Matinpalo for a couple of yrs & I expect they will add a RD at this yr's draft & could trade for another between now & the trade deadline & likely a young guy that they can extend.

Agreed. I think Kleven and Chabot provide value in different ways. Our D lacked offense last year so trading Chabot seems like a questionable decision (depending of course on what you get back).

If in the future Kleven evolves into a top 4 D and we move on from Chabot we'd better have a RD who can provide some offense. Hopefully Yak becomes that guy.