Flames sign Erik Gudbranson (one year, $1.95 million AAV)

The Flames have signed right-handed defenceman Erik Gudbranson to a one-year contract worth $1.95 million, the club announced Friday afternoon.

Gudbranson, 29, split the 2020–21 season between the Ottawa Senators and the Nashville Predators, averaging 17:55 of ice-time and tallying four points (one goal, three assists) in 45 total games.

In 563 NHL games over 10 seasons with Nashville, Ottawa, Anaheim, Pittsburgh, Vancouver, and Florida, Gudbranson has scored 21 goals and 77 points while averaging 18:11 per game.

According to Evolving-Hockey’s standing points above replacement metric, Gudbranson has provided his teams with negative $25.8 million in value against a total salary cap hit of $26.7 million. He has never provided even half of $1.95 million in value in a single season.

Gubranson joins a Flames defence corps also featuring Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, Rasmus Andersson, Nikita Zadorov, Juuso Valimaki, and Michael Stone.