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

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Give him the Cowen special, 8 years 3.5 million.

I could see it.

Think they look at either 1 or 2 x 1.5ish or longer term (5+ years at $3.5+).

 

[bert]

Give him the Cowen special, 8 years 3.5 million.

Id do that in a second, i dont think he signs that. Id go 8 X 4.5 he is not even close to his ceiling.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Id do that in a second, i dont think he signs that. Id go 8 X 4.5 he is not even close to his ceiling.

They likely bridge him to try to keep short term costs down but he should be viewed as a keeper at 4.5 x 8 it would be robbery over that span

 

[NyQuil]

It’s nice to have a third pairing that you aren’t afraid to throw out there.

With Jensen’s injury and Chabot’s “adventures”, the 2nd pairing inspires less confidence.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Id do that in a second, i dont think he signs that. Id go 8 X 4.5 he is not even close to his ceiling.

Samulesson is a good recent comparable. He played a greater role on a worse team, with a similar sample size.

If they go long term, I could see a 5-6 year deal max. Because from the POV of the player, it secures the bag but leaves him young enough to get a third contract if he cements himself as a top 4 defenseman. 29 is the sweet spot that agents often aim for. So they might prefer a 5-6 year deal over 7-8 that makes him a UFA in his early 30s.

Looking at what we've done with other players, a long term deal would surprise me. I'd expect something like 2-4 years.

If they go 6 years, I'd expect something in the 3.5-4.0 range. Even with what he has shown, that is a bit of a ballsy move. I think they will go 2 years, which should have a player of his type and resume come in pretty cheap. It opens them up to sign him to a 4M-5M type extension next year if he cements himself as a #4.

 

[bicboi64]

He's never going to produce enough to warrant the cap hits being suggested. He's a McNabb/Schenn type big body on the 3rd pairing. He can be had for $2-3 million for a few years.

He's playing great but the sophomore slump might hit him. Hope GMSS doesn't blow his load on Kleven just yet

 

[DanyHeatley]

Saved a goal by swatting the puck out of mid air behind Ullmark.

Almost sniped a backhand short side cheese.. that play took poise, which he has demonstrated a considerable amount of in the past two games.

And of course, it led to the OT winner from Sandy.

Wouldn’t be surprised to see him jump up with Sandy more often at even strength. He’s feeling it, while Zub has been inconsistent.

I believe that was Matinpalo l, but still K train has risen to the occasion

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I believe that was Matinpalo l, but still K train has risen to the occasion

Both events were Kleven

 

[Sun God Nika]

I can see a situation where we have two separate second pairings the first one headed by Chabot if are trailing or need a goal and the second one lead by Kleven if we have a lead or need to shut it down.

 

[NyQuil]

I can see a situation where we have two separate second pairings the first one headed by Chabot if are trailing or need a goal and the second one lead by Kleven if we have a lead or need to shut it down.

I’d love it if Kleven stays on the 3rd pairing because it means we actually have depth at the position.

EDIT: But I get what you mean. The problem with 2 second-pairings is that they will want to be paid as top 4 defencemen.

 

[aragorn]

I hope we see a Kleven - Yakemchuk tandem by Xmas of next season. I expect he will start in Belleville, but hopefully they will see they need his offence. Matinpalo is okay defensively, but there isn't anything else.

 

[coladin]

We are getting close jersey territory for me. I love his game and I said years ago we may have a poor man's Chris Pronger, and he is turning out to be just that

 

[NyQuil]

We are getting close jersey territory for me. I love his game and I said years ago we may have a poor man's Chris Pronger, and he is turning out to be just that

A destitute man’s Chris Pronger.

 

[Alf Silfversson]

He's made nice strides this year but I still find if he (and Matinpalo) has any kind of difficult outlet pass it turns into an adventure. Pretty standard stuff for 3rd pairing guys who are new to the league. He's upped the physical play lately and that is really nice to see.

 

[bicboi64]

Seeing Benoit try to rough it up with Kleven at the end was funny. Benoit is a big guy at 6ft4, but Kleven has strength to back up his 6ft5 frame.

 

[OD99]

He's made nice strides this year but I still find if he (and Matinpalo) has any kind of difficult outlet pass it turns into an adventure. Pretty standard stuff for 3rd pairing guys who are new to the league. He's upped the physical play lately and that is really nice to see.

I am finding the opposite.

He is one of the calmest D we have with the puck on his stick. He is using his frame and reach to play keep away and wait for a good outlet while under pressure.

Next thing is to find a way to get more shots on net and tee up that clapper.

 

[NyQuil]

I am finding the opposite.

He is one of the calmest D we have with the puck on his stick. He is using his frame and reach to play keep away and wait for a good outlet while under pressure.

Next thing is to find a way to get more shots on net and tee up that clapper.

I agree, he’s hilariously confident skating with the puck in his own end.

He’s starting to get a real feel for it.

It makes sense in a way because our system relies on the LD puck mover so it’s not going to be Matinpalo.

As the stakes get higher he just does his job.

 

[Micklebot]

I agree, he’s hilariously confident with skating with the puck in his own end.

Hilariously confident indeed, that play late in the game where he was under pressure and just held on and skated himself out of trouble with two or three guys on him was highlight reel worthy until he eventually gave it up.... There's still work to done, but man does he ever have flashes of being something special.

 

[camZ]

Hilariously confident indeed, that play late in the game where he was under pressure and just held on and skated himself out of trouble with two or three guys on him was highlight reel worthy until he eventually gave it up.... There's still work to done, but man does he ever have flashes of being something special.

He was so nonchalant about it, and at the end did like a 1 handed toe drag to reverse direction and lose the 2 defenders… but then a weak pass got intercepted.

 

[Micklebot]

He was so nonchalant about it, and at the end did like a 1 handed toe drag to reverse direction and lose the 2 defenders… but then a weak pass got intercepted.

He just needed to get a little more on that pass to chip it off the boards and past the the defender, but he demonstrated a ton of skill and poise on that play, skated his way out of trouble, stickhandled in some traffic, used his body to shield the play, all with two guys all over him.

 

[c_mak]

It was been fun to watch him grow in this series.

 

[Rand0m]

Really happy with Kleven and especially his improvements with controlling the puck in his own zone. There’s obviously still some mistakes but playoffs are like an accelerated learning experience and I have to say he’s adapted very well so far.

 

[BondraTime]

That play fending off their forward pressuring him with one arm and pulling the puck back with the toe of his stick with one hand isn’t something that many guys are able to do

Edit: What everyone above is talking about

 

[SlapJack]

I love how Green has adjusted the pairs to get Kleven more ice time. Throwing out Chabot and Sanderson to try for more offense on occasion and having Kleven to fill in for them when Zub and Jensen need reps has worked well and Kleven has been really, really good. He's turning into a legit top 4 D and will lose that "best #6 in the playoffs" moniker faster than you can say Simon Benoit.

It's nice to have a well rounded D core after so many years of having Chabot, maybe Zub, and a bunch of bottom pairing scrubs running around aimlessly. Now there's depth with a stud to lead the way while providing the influence of stoicism that seems to creep into the rest of the core

 

[Masked]

That play fending off their forward pressuring him with one arm and pulling the puck back with the toe of his stick with one hand isn’t something that many guys are able to do

Edit: What everyone above is talking about

I'm sure any draft eligible goalie can do that if we go by the online draft experts.