Fantasy Summary
Excellent offensively, but has to work on defensive game. Top-four PP QB upside, but he’s with his sixth NHL organization in four seasons.
Observations
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June 2019 – Clendening has extended his contract by two years. The first season of the agreement is a two-way deal with the second year being a one-way. This news points to the blueliner being a regular call-up this season with a full-time spot on the Blue Jackets’ defense the following campaign. Frank Pellegrini
May 2019 – Clendening played just four scoreless games for the Blue Jackets this past season. He posted an impressive 37 points in 45 contests for Cleveland. The 26-year-old has played in over 300 games for five different clubs at the AHL level. With little to no availability on the Columbus blueline, he should add to that total this fall. There is barely any fantasy value to be had as a result. Frank Pellegrini
January 2019 – Clendening began the season with the Blue Jackets, appearing in four straight games. His ice time was very limited, and he was held pointless. As a result, he was constantly a healthy scratch. In mid-November, he cleared waivers and headed to Cleveland of the AHL. Through 22 games with the Monsters, he has played at a point-per-game pace. Not surprising given that he is in the final year of his contract. It will be interesting to see who he signs with next season as he is capable of making a jump to full-time NHL duties. His fantasy value is reserved for those in the deepest of leagues. Frank Pellegrini
March 2018- With an assist versus the Texas Stars, Clendening has become the all time leader in points by a defenceman with the Rockford Icehogs. He currently sits with 136 points while wearing an Icehogs uniform. The old record of 134 points was held by Brian Connelly. Tony Carr
January 2018- Clendening has been traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, the team that originally drafted him back in 2011, along with Anthony Duclair for Richard Panik and Laurent Dauphin. The offensive defenseman was a dark horse fantasy candidate going into the season but found himself a frequent healthy scratch with the Coyotes till clearing waivers and being sent to the AHL. He will report to Rockford of the AHL and will most likely just be a depth option for the Blackhawks and very well might not see the NHL again this campaign. Keith Duggan
July 2017 – UFA Clendening continues his tour around the league by signing a one-year contract with Arizona, his sixth NHL team in four seasons. Mark Allan
June 2017 — Clendening spent the entire 2016-17 season with the New York Rangers however only suited up in 31 games as a result of being a frequent healthy scratch. He contributed eleven points on the season while averaging nearly 15 minutes per game including time on the second power play unit. More known for his offensive prowess Clendening, is a respectable plus-11 through 81 career NHL games. The 25-year-old defenceman is expected to break into a full time NHL role in 2017-18 in what will be his sixth professional season. Geoff Kent
October 2016 – Coming off of a NHL season that saw him split time between the AHL and NHL, as well as getting traded once again for the fourth time in two years. Adam Clendening signed a two-way contract with the New York Rangers. Brayden Sully
January 2016 – Clendening is with his fourth NHL organization in a year after Pittsburgh traded him and underachieving winger David Perron to the Anaheim Ducks for left winger Carl Hagelin. Clendening, previously dealt by the Blackhawks and Canucks, plays a smart game that includes good puck movement but he never really caught on with Pittsburgh. He has tallied just one assist in nine NHL games this season and three assists in six AHL games. Mark Allan
January 2016 – With just one assist in nine NHL games, the little-used Clendening was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a conditioning assignment. He was plus-3 with Pittsburgh, and is a serviceable two-way defenseman. Since the blueline is the Achilles heel for the Penguins, he’ll almost certainly be recalled after returning to game shape. On that note, he has three assists in his first four AHL games this season. Mark Allan
October 2015 – Clendening is one of eight defensemen left after Pittsburgh reduced its roster to 25 players. The defenseman, acquired from the Canucks with Nick Bonino in an off-season trade for Brandon Sutter, is with his third NHL team in five months. He might help to stabilize Pittsburgh’s blueline with good two-way play keyed by positional awareness. Mark Allan
February 2015 – Since being acquired by the Canucks in a January trade, Clendening has played in every game for Vancouver (eight) and has averaged about 17 minutes of ice-time per game. The former second round pick has shown he is ready for full-time NHL play after facing a log jam in the Blackhawks organization, and has impressed with solid two-way play posting one assist, a plus-4 rating, and seven shots on net. He looks poised on the breakout, and plays a good positional game. Mike Barrett
January 2015 – Clendening has been traded to the Vancouver Canucks for WJC standout Gustav Forsling. Clendening has been focussing on his defensive game this year, and has regressed offensively so far, with only 13 points in 38 games this year in the AHL. He had a four game callup, but he was getting too close to wavier eligibility for the Blackhawks liking. He should find immediate ice time on the Canucks with Bieksa injured, and could easily play his way into second unit PP time. Offensive upside remains the same, but he will now be given a real shot much sooner. Austin Wallace
November 2014 – A year removed from a season that saw him lead the IceHogs in scoring with 59 points in 74 games, Clendening has struggled to find that scoring touch so far in 2014. Despite being handed more of a leadership role this season by being named an alternate captain, Clendening has just three points in his first 13 games. In addition to the slow start, Clendening was surpassed on the Blackhawks depth chart by newcomer Trevor van Riemsdyk who is currently with the big club. Despite the unfortunate start to 2014 for Clendening, the future is still bright, and we could see him with the Blackhawks as early as this season in the event of injuries on the blueline. Matt Donohue
April 2014 – Clendening is in the midst of finishing up a second strong AHL campaign in which he has led his team in points and was named a First Team All-Star. The situation is now a waiting game for him as he has done everything he can and is ready in the wings. With Chicago’s blueline staying extremely healthy, they did not utilize a single recall for action otherwise Clendening would have surely made his debut. Should the Rockford Icehogs fail to make the Calder Cup playoffs in the next few days, Clendening will be flying with the Blackhawks as they once again attempt to go deep in search of another cup. Next season he will battle fellow offensive product David Rundblad for the final roster spot in training camp and it would not surprise if Rundblad is sent packing. Clendening is a very good chip to be holding on your farm squad right now, especially with the franchise outlook in Chicago. Jason Banks
September 2013 – Clendening was among 10 players recently sent back to Rockford. The Blackhawks’ top blueline prospect will look to build upon his 46 point rookie season for the Icehogs. With Coach Quenneville leaving open the idea of riding with eight defenseman in Chicago a strong start to the AHL season would position Clendening quite nicely for an early call-up in case of injury or poor play. Even if the Blackhawks go with the more standard seven defensemen he still has a good chance of seeing some playing time in Chicago at some point this season. Rex Doty
June 2013 – Clendening’s rookie season in Rockford helped cement his name at the top of the Blackhawks’ blue line prospect pool. He amassed 46 points in 73 games, plus 67 PIM and a plus-17 rating. He possesses that tantalizing mix of high-end offense coupled with a physical edge. If he can follow up his rookie season in similar fashion it won’t be long before you’ll be seeing Clendening in the NHL. Rex Doty
November 2012 – Clendening is adapting to the pro game well, starting off with 12 points in 16 games for Rockford. As of late November, he is on a run of eight points in just five games. He has twice as many points as Nick Leddy at this point. There is a logjam in Chicago, but Clendening is very much in the mix. Dobber
July 2012 – As expected, he has turned pro and will head to Rockford of the AHL. He will serve an apprenticeship for a couple years before moving forward, as ice time is very clogged up in the Windy City. Jason Banks
April 2012 – Only 19, Clendening has already completed two seasons at a major college program (Boston University), and has a wealth of international competition experience to his credit. With the Terriers, Clendening has amassed an impressive 59 points and 144 penalty minutes in 77 games and added five points in six games at the WJC. Physical and aggressive despite average size, he has very good puck and skating skills. Rich Dillon
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