Overview
- The Canucks announced Tuesday that they signed 26-year-old Cole Clayton to a one-year, two-way contract that is reported to pay $850,000 at the NHL level and $275,000 at the AHL level.
- Clayton was acquired by Vancouver in January’s trade that sent Kiefer Sherwood to San Jose and included two second-round draft picks as part of the return.
- The team expects Clayton to serve as right-shot organizational depth in Abbotsford rather than as a regular NHL player unless injuries or roster moves create a call-up need.
- Clayton has five AHL seasons on his record with 14 goals and 58 assists for 72 points in 289 games and he led WHL defensemen with nine goals and 21 assists in 23 games in his final junior season.
- The signing follows Vancouver’s recent addition of Jack Thompson and fits a clear pattern of short, two-way deals designed to build AHL defensive depth while preserving NHL cap and roster flexibility.