Prospect Update: Calle Clang

By Thomas Harrington

Originally a third round pick from the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, goaltender Calle Clang was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Rickard Rakell deal. This was Clang’s second full season in North America, and he played exclusively in the AHL.

Clang played in 31 games for the San Diego Gulls and had a record of 11-13-4 with a 3.17 goals against average and a .895 save percentage. He played in one fewer AHL game but picked up one more win than the previous season. His goals against average dropped slightly from 3.21 while his save percentage also dropped slightly from .897. He was also called up to Anaheim in late December but didn’t play in any NHL games and was returned to San Diego a few days later. Clang started playing better in December. Unfortunately, he suffered a lower body injury in mid-February and missed nearly two months of action, only returning for the final few games of the season.

I had three expectations for Clang last summer, and he hit two of them. First, after playing a few games in the ECHL in the 2023-2024 season, I wanted him to spend the entire year in the AHL, which he was able to do. Second, for Clang to play at least 30 games for the Gulls. Despite a major injury, he was able to hit this mark as well. Finally, for Clang to put up better numbers than the previous season. His goals against average was slightly better while his save percentage was slightly worse, and he essentially put up the same numbers in both categories, so this is the one he missed on.

This coming season, Clang should be back with the Gulls, but playing time with San Diego will be even more difficult to come by. Tomas Suchanek is returning from an injury that kept him out all of last season, while Ville Husso signed a two-year extension. All three will be fighting for playing time in San Diego’s net. Vyacheslav Buteyets spent most of last year in the ECHL and will also be pushing for more time in the AHL.

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This season, I have three expectations for Clang. First, to put up better numbers in San Diego than he has the past two years. Playing time will likely be at a premium, but as long as he can play better than he has the previous two seasons, I’ll be satisfied with Clang’s development. Second, for him to not miss any time with a major injury. Finally, for him to stay with the Gulls all season.

Clang is still a number of years away from the NHL. With Lukas Dostal now entrenched as Anaheim’s starter in net for the foreseeable future, the question comes down to who will be his backup in the years to come. Petr Mrazek will fill that role this season, and Husso is probably the frontrunner the year after that. However, given how many young goaltenders the Ducks have in their system, Anaheim may be hoping one of them is ready to be Dostal’s backup for the 2027-2028 season. If Clang can really improve his game over the next two seasons, he’ll be one of the players who could fill that role that season.

Clang was a restricted free agent this summer when his entry-level contract expired. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with Anaheim, and he’ll be a restricted free agent again next summer. If he can stay healthy and play like he did in the two months leading up to his injury in February, he’ll likely get another extension a year from now. But if he struggles or spends a lot of time in the ECHL, the Ducks will likely not qualify him and let him leave as a free agent.

The next prospect update will be on forward Lucas Pettersson.

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September 1st, 2025