The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed veteran forward Rich Clune to a NHL contract, the team announced on Thursday. The Maple Leafs have recalled him from the AHL and he is expected to be at practice Thursday morning.
Clune’s signing is likely tied to the team waiving forward Mark Arcobello earlier this morning.
Clune had previously been on an AHL contract with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. Through eight games with the Marlies this season, Clune has two goals and three assists, tied for second on the team in points.
The 28-year-old Clune is a veteran of four NHL seasons, breaking into the league at age 22. He played a career-high 58 games with the Nashville Predators in the 2013-14 season after having played the full 48 games for the Predators during the lockout.
With a coaching change in Nashville prior to last season, Clune found himself outside the team’s plans and played just a single NHL game, toiling most of the season with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL.
Clune is a depth player, more renowned for his physical presence than his playmaking abilities. He’s never averaged over 9:24 of ice time in a game. He’ll likely be asked to bring this kind of play to a Maple Leafs team that is still finding its way under new leadership.
The @MapleLeafs have signed forward Rich Clune to an NHL contract. He will join the @MapleLeafs at practice this morning #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 29, 2015