After making a deal for fellow right shooting defenseman Erik Gudbranson on Wednesday, general manager Jim Benning announced that the Vancouver Canucks have signed former Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Tom Nilsson to a one year, two way contract.
The native of Tyreso, Sweden, was originally selected by the Leafs in the fourth round (100th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft from Swedish First Division team Mora. He graduated to Frolunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the 2013-14 season, was called to North America to play for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) for 2014-15, and was back with Frolunda this past season.
All told he has tallied 11 points and 56 penalty minutes with Frolunda, and six points with 26 penalty minutes with the Marlies. He’s obviously not a points-producer, but is known as a good stay-at-home defenseman who takes good care of the backend.
Unlike the Gudbranson trade earlier this week, which was clearly meant to bolster the Canucks blueline this coming season, the signing of Nilsson, 22, is more likely an AHL move.