Clendening has made his personal situation interesting with the Blackhawks. He’s still an RFA and I’d be surprised if the Hawks don’t make a serious attempt to re-sign him. Clendening will likely have to take a near-minimum deal, but the Hawks can easily make it a one way contract.
- DarthKane
Has he improved in what are his weak areas in his NHL game? Because it is altogether another story playing great in the AHL. He even has a smart experienced partner in Franson
Then, too, while you have a point and maybe the Franson pairing reasoning does not stand if Clendenning is strong no matter his partner.....what trump's Clendenning being signed is the sheer number of prospects Bowman has added. Each signed so they play somewhere or are released. Justin called out 459 dmen prospects or similar outrageous number of prospects heading toward Rockford; some may end up taking a turn off for a different NHL or minor league city.
It is uncommon to see rookies playing same pair and even two newbies is a lot on an NHL blueline. But I can imagine it happens. After the new CBA is signed two years down the road
.....in the next expansion year.