The Ducks signed La Mirada native Chase De Leo and four others in order to bolster their organizational depth Thursday, the second day of the NHL’s free-agent signing period. De Leo played most of last season for the New Jersey Devils’ minor-league team after spending 2018-21 in the Ducks’ organization.
“No Place Like Home Lets Run It Back Baby!” De Leo wrote on Twitter.
In addition to De Leo, a left wing, the Ducks also signed centers Glenn Gawdin and Justin Kirkland and defensemen Austin Strand and Colton White. De Leo, Gawdin and White have two-year contracts and Kirkland and Strand have one-season contracts. All but Gawdin’s are two-way deals.
De Leo, 26, led New Jersey’s AHL team, the Utica (New York) Comets, with 35 assists and 56 points this past season. He is scoreless in seven career NHL games with the Devils, Ducks and Winnipeg Jets, who selected him in the fourth round (99th overall) in the 2014 draft.
Related Articles
Ducks agree to terms with Glenn Gawdin on 2-year contract
NHL free agency: Ducks sign ex-Rangers Ryan Strome, Frank Vatrano
Ducks hire Roy Sommer to coach AHL team in San Diego
NHL free agency: Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has plenty of money to spend
NHL draft: Ducks take teammates Noah Warren, Tristan Luneau in 2nd round
Gawdin, 25, had 15 goals and 35 assists last season with the Calgary Flames’ AHL team in Stockton. Kirkland, 25, had 25 goals and 23 assists with Stockton in 2021-22. Strand, 25, had two assists in eight games with the Kings last season and also played 32 games with the AHL’s Ontario Reign.
White, 25, played 27 games with the Devils last season and six with Utica.
More to come on this story.