Andrew Nielsen traded to the Calgary Flames for Morgan Klimchuk

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a minor league trade on Tuesday night, swapping defenceman Andrew Nielsen for left winger Morgan Klimchuk.

Nielsen was caught in a logjam on the Marlies, who are becoming fairly stacked with left-shot defencemen. Ahead of him on the depth chart are Calle Rosen, who is playing at a fantastic offensive clip in the AHL, and new first round pick, Rasmus Sandin, who has taken very well to the AHL and is quickly ascending the depth chart in the Leafs organization. There is also Andreas Borgman, who played 48 games in the NHL last year and could probably be playing in the NHL for certain teams. Combined with the Maple Leafs D core that is also stacked down the left with Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner and Travis Dermott — all of whom are going to be there long or long’ish term — there is no room for Nielsen to prove himself at the AHL level, no room to strive for at the NHL level, and staying in limbo was doing nothing for his development.

After a very good rookie season where he potted 14 goals in 74 games, Nielsen quickly slid down the depth chart as the organization stacked the cupboards at the AHL level.

Nielsen also didn’t develop as expected defensively. There has been some commentary with regard to his inability to understand what to do in his own zone, as well as a penchant for taking bad penalties. Despite access to world-class training, his skating never developed as one would have hoped and expected.

It will be a fresh start in his home province of Alberta, where he will be given a shot of proving himself on the Stockton Heat — perhaps alongside star AHL right-shot D, Oliver Kylington, who could complement his style as a pure puck mover, but that remains to be seen. He didn’t show any signs of top-4 life on a stacked Marlies squad.

Klimchuk, 23, has primarily played as a middle-six left winger for the Stockton Heat, the Calgary Flames AHL team, and has lost his luster as a once-promising first-round talent out of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was put on waivers after training camp this year and passed through without claim, but he should add some scoring depth on the Marlies. His 2013 NHL draft scouting report from McKeen’s Hockey described him as follows:

Stepped up in Jordan Weal’s wake – to deliver a breakout 36-goal effort and double his rookie output of `11-12 .. gave a strong performance winning gold with Team Canada at the U18 Worlds – clicking with phenom Connor McDavid and finishing second in team scoring (7-3-5-8) .. also won gold at the Ivan Hlinka last summer .. selected fifth overall in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft ..

SCOUTING REPORT .. clinical finish and potent one-touch skills tops his list of assets .. hops and spins in startup before engaging a fast forward stride .. packs an explosive acceleration burst and change of pace – and excellent top speed .. dangerous off the rush – lurks in the soft spaces and has a knack for getting into prime scoring lanes .. excels providing the final touch – supported by a powerful snapshot and precise accuracy .. exploits his tempo to challenge defenders 1-on-1 .. deploys quick stickhandling shifts and clever puck maneuvers to open up lanes .. despite quick hands and an ability
to execute at full throttle – is still more of a distributor and shooter than a ‘carry-and-create’ type .. doesn’t always make optimal playmaking decisions .. plays a determined and responsible two- way game .. gradually improving defensively and developing into a viable penalty killer .. must continue to refine his checking skills, however .. wastes energy by taking inefficient angles and can do a much better job blocking lanes .. seems to have trouble reading the opposition’s intentions.. not overly big or powerful – yet surprisingly resilient .. worked diligently last off-season to upgrade his strength and stamina and is better able to absorb and give hits, albeit still gets knocked around pretty good .. should gain confidence in his physical play as he does display solid hitting technique .. a hard- working and dedicated team player – with natural goal-scoring ability that may overshadow the size factor in the long run.

Morgan Klimchuk Video Highlights

Morgan Klimchuk Statistics

Left Wing -- shoots L
Born Mar 2 1995 -- Regina, SASK
[23 yrs. ago]
Height 6.00 -- Weight 185 [183 cm/84 kg]
Drafted by Calgary Flames
- round 1 #28 overall 2013 NHL Entry Draft

S	Team	League	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-		POST	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-
Sep-08	Calgary Bisons Bantam AAA	AMBHL	32	13	22	35	10		|
Oct-09	Calgary Bisons Bantam AAA	AMBHL	28	33	19	52	44		|	Playoffs	13	18	13	31	12
Nov-10	Calgary Buffaloes Midget AAA	AMHL	32	27	23	50	12		|	Playoffs	2	0	0	0	0
	Regina Pats	WHL	5	0	1	1	0	-1	|
Dec-11	Regina Pats	WHL	67	18	18	36	27	3	|	Playoffs	5	0	1	1	2	-2
	Canada Pacific U17	WHC-17	5	2	4	6	0		|
2012-13	Regina Pats	WHL	72	36	40	76	20	-1	|
	Canada U18	WJC-18	7	3	5	8	6	4	|
2013-14	Regina Pats ÒAÓ	WHL	57	30	44	74	27	26	|	Playoffs	4	3	2	5	2	-3
	Abbotsford Heat	AHL	4	0	0	0	4	-2	|
2014-15	Regina Pats ÒAÓ	WHL	27	14	16	30	12	13	|
	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	33	20	30	50	12	26	|	Playoffs	13	3	10	13	2	-2
2015-16	Stockton Heat	AHL	55	3	6	9	10	0	|
2016-17	Stockton Heat	AHL	66	19	24	43	36	9	|	Playoffs	2	0	0	0	0	0
2017-18	Calgary Flames	NHL	1	0	0	0	0	0	|
	Stockton Heat	AHL	62	19	21	40	24	1	|
2018-19	Stockton Heat	AHL	16	3	5	8	8	-1	|
	Toronto Marlies	AHL	-	-	-	-	-		|