Canucks sign Oscar Fantenberg

The Canucks have added more depth to their blueline with the signing of Swedish defenceman Oscar Fantenberg

It is a one year deal worth $850,000.

The Swedish defenceman was an undrafted free agent that signed with the Los Angeles Kings in May of 2017. He split that first season between the Kings and their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. This past season, he was able to secure a full-time role with the Kings before being moved to the Calgary Flames at the trade deadline.

Between the two teams, Fantenberg appeared in 61 games registering two goals and two assists. In a depth role, Fantenberg came out slightly above the WAR and GAR lines

Fantenberg is clearly a depth signing for the team. Once the injury bug runs through the defence, the Canucks were in need of defencemen with NHL experience that could step in as a stop-gap. It also insulates the likes of Olli Juolevi, Ashton Sautner, Guillaume Brisebois, and Brogan Rafferty.

But Fantenberg likely won’t be gifted a spot with the team and will have to earn his role with the big club as the team likely won’t be afraid to waive him and assign him to the Comets if one of those aforementioned players beat him out for a spot.