Calen Addison

February 2020 – Addison has a bright future as a power-play QB in the NHL – with Minnesota. The offensive-minded blueliner was dealt to the Wild with Alex Galchenyuk and a conditional 2020 first-round pick for forward Jason Zucker. Ending weeks of speculation, the Penguins get a badly needed forward for another Cup run. Minnesota gets a former first-rounder and a future first-rounder to help with a much-needed overhaul. Mark Allan

January 2020 – Playing with great poise and confidence for Canada’s World Junior Championship-winning squad, the young blueliner enhanced his reputation as a future NHL power-play weapon. Often the only Canadian back with a man advantage, Addison tied for sixth among all scorers with nine points (including eight assists) in seven games. Following his WJC debut, he’ll return to the WHL to complete his junior stint with the Lethbridge Hurricanes before turning pro next season. Mark Allan

December 2019 – Addison unsurprisingly made the 23-man final Team Canada roster for the World Junior Championship. In a practice after the final cut was made, the offensive-minded blueliner was coupled with Bowen Byram in what should be a potent pairing. The 5-10, 181-pound Addison has seven goals and 22 assists in 31 outings during his final junior campaign with the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes. Mark Allan

November 2019 – The dynamic young defenseman continues an almost-point-per-game pace as a junior. After 22 appearances, his 21 points are third among WHL blueliners and his 17 helpers are one off the league lead for back-enders. In a series pitting Canadian juniors against Russian counterparts, Addison was named WHL player of the game after he scored the overtime winner in a 2-1 decision. He had one of three WHL goals in a shootout that decided the series in favor of the Canadian hosts. Mark Allan

September 2019 – Addison was returned to the Lethbridge Hurricanes for a fourth season in the Western Hockey League. The power-play specialist needs to work on his defensive play. Mark Allan

August 2019 – Addison didn’t do a lot to distinguish himself during the 2019 World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Mich. The annual tournament is essentially a World Junior Championship tryout for Canadian, American, Swedish and Finnish prospects. He could still be named to Team Canada if a combination of Noah Dobson, Bowen Byram and Ty Smith are playing on NHL bluelines and are unavailable for the WJC. Addison, a 19-year-old power-play weapon is expected to return for a fourth campaign with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, although he has little to prove in the WHL except an interest in defense. Mark Allan

April 2019 – After his Lethbridge Hurricanes were eliminated in a seven-game opening-round playoff series to end Addison’s third full Western Hockey League campaign, he signed a three-year, entry-level deal with Pittsburgh. Although he was minus-6 in the series, Addison led all WHL blueliners in the opening round with nine points. He had six helpers with an extra man, and added a game-winning goal. In 67 league games, his 65 points (including 11 goals) were tied for 47th in the league and sixth among D-men. More than half (34) of those 65 points were on the power play, and 32 helpers solidified the impression Pittsburgh has drafted a legitimate power-play weapon. Mark Allan

January 2019 – The offensive back-end whiz is bang on at point per game in 44 outings with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. On pace to match or slightly exceed his second-year WHL numbers, Addison doesn’t have to prove his offensive skill to the Penguins. They’re going to want to see some defensive awareness. That’s what the AHL is for. Mark Allan

December 2018 – After not sticking with Canada’s world junior squad, Addison returns to Lethbridge of the WHL. The offensive dynamo has four goals and 30 assists in 32 games for the Hurricanes. Mark Allan

December 2018 – Addison is one of 34 youngsters invited to Canada’s world junior selection camp starting Dec. 10 in Victoria, B.C. Competing against 11 other talented young blueliners, Addison has the advantage of having played at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and was a member of the national men’s summer under-18 team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The 18-year-old righthand shot has a good chance to make Canada’s WJC team. Mark Allan

November 2018 – Addison is so far dealing fine with the elevated expectations that come with being a second-round NHL draft pick. With two goals and 14 assists for Lethbridge in his first 15 games of the WHL schedule, he’s roughly on track to match or exceed the 11 scores and 65 points he amassed in 68 outings with the Hurricanes last season. Perhaps preparing for the rigors of playing pro hockey, he projects to rack up about 100 PIMs in a full campaign. Mark Allan

September 2018 – The crafty puck-mover and potential PP weapon will hone his skills with another junior season for the Lethbridge Broncos of the WHL. As a second-round draft pick, he will be watched closely by Pittsburgh. Mark Allan

September 2018 – Fresh from being drafted in the second round, Addison is not expected to make the NHL roster right out of his first big-league training camp. However, the organization’s braintrust was pleased by the play of the smallish but quick and crafty blueliner at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo. Quickness applies to his vision and his stickwork, which includes superior breakout passes. The 18-year-old looks like a good bet to be an NHL PP catalyst one day, although he’ll likely be returned to the Lethbridge Broncos of the WHL for at least one more campaign. Mark Allan

March 2018 – Addison began his draft year with a strong showing for Canada at the Ivan Hlinka, where he was arguably the best defenseman for Canada posting two goals and six points in five games. Selected second overall by Lethbridge in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, Addison is posting point per game offensive production in his second season in the WHL which makes him a very fantasy relevant prospect. The 2018 Draft is full of undersized offensive defensemen and Addison is near the top of that list.

The right shot defenseman oozes hockey sense, is a precision passer and has a decent shot, but excels at creating transition offence and distributing the puck. Skating is an asset as he moves quickly, has good mobility and agility and strong edges. Addison is smart on both sides of the puck, is positionally sound and is not shy about playing physically, albeit his effectiveness is limited even at the junior level due to his size.  Peter Harling