Hurricanes claim Dahlbeck, swap minor leaguers

GM Ron Francis trades Brody Sutter to Florida for Connor Brickley

Sergei Belski—USA TODAY Sports
Klas Dahlbeck (34) controls the puck against Calgary Flames during the third period during a preseason hockey game at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Hurricanes claimed Dahlbeck off waivers Tuesday.

RALEIGH — Hurricanes GM Ron Francis did more maneuvering Tuesday ahead of the start of the 2016-17 season, claiming Swedish defenseman Klas Dahlbeck off waivers from Arizona and then swapping forward prospects, dealing center Brody Sutter to Florida for left wing Connor Brickley. The moves come a day after Carolina signed free agent 28-year-old defenseman Jakub Nakladal and also claimed right wing Martin Frk off waivers from Detroit.First-year pro Roland McKeown made the opening night roster, but he could be reassigned to the AHL once Nakladal’s immigration status — which led to him being put on the non-roster list — is cleared up. Nakladal was unlikely to be available for the season opener, but Dahlbeck should be at Wednesday’s practice before the team leaves for Winnipeg. Both Nakladal ($600,000) and Dahlbeck ($750,000) are on one-way contracts that cost the same against the salary in the NHL as the minors. “By doing what we did the last couple days, we feel it gives those young kids a chance to properly develop,” Francis said following Tuesday’s practice at PNC Arena. “You know, go down in Charlotte… play some good competition, play a lot of minutes, play a lot of situations and develop properly the way we think they should. We’re happy to be able to do what we did here, and we think long term it makes the most sense for our kids as well.”Coach Bill Peters echoed Francis’ commitment to getting his young defense — defensemen Haydn Fleury and Trevor Carrick, along with center Lucas Wallmark were assigned to Charlotte — time in the AHL despite Carolina playing most of last season with three first-year pros on the blue line.”We like them a lot. But it’s unfair to guys to be put in that situation before they’re ready, and it’s a situation where we want to get off to a good start,” Peters said. “With the [Ryan] Murphy injured, we needed to make some moves on the back and make sure we have enough depth to start the year.” Dahlbeck was a third-round pick by Chicago in 2011 and has 94 games of NHL experience, including playing 71 games for the Coyotes last season. At 6-foot-3, 207 pounds, the left-handed Dahlbeck, 25, is a defensive defenseman who has played on both the left and right side.In Brickley, Carolina gets a former second-round pick (50th overall in 2010) with 23 games of NHL experience. He has one career NHL goal — a game-winner scored Oct. 13, 2015, against Carolina — and four assists, plus registered 34 goals in 118 career AHL games.Sutter, a seventh-round pick (No. 193) by Carolina in the 2011 draft, played a total of 12 NHL games with Carolina in four professional seasons. He did not register a point.Forward Phil Di Giuseppe also made the final roster after a solid camp.