Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Rich Clune
See More
Clune, who signed a two-year deal with Nashville in July, is mostly a fourth-line tough guy who generally sees under 10 minutes in ice time most games. With just 11 points in 61 games over the past two seasons, he will likely struggle to get on the fantasy radar beyond his contributions with penalty minutes.
The Kings are in desperate need of some offensive prospects at left wing, but Clune certainly doesn't fit that mold -- he had just 15 points in 56 games at the AHL level last year. He did ink a two-year deal with the Kings in the offseason so the organization certainly hasn't given up hope. But right now he doesn't project to be anything more than a bottom-six forward. He'll get a chance to earn a roster spot in training camp.
Clune was very likely a fan favorite for the Monarchs of the AHL with 222 PIMs in 66 games. The Kings don't really have a need for a goon who can't score so Clune will need to show some offensive ability if he wants to crack their lineup.
Clune's posted some decent penalty totals in the AHL, and he did manage to rack up 26 PIMs in a brief 14 game stint with the Kings last year. Unfortunately, he only tallied two points in those 14 games. He's nothing more than a depth player for the Kings who will occasionally drop the gloves when he's not a healthy scratch.
Clune got off to a slow start thanks to a rib injury sustained in the preseason but quickly resumed his agitator role in the AHL, picking up 87 PIMs in 35 games. He might make an effective agitator at the NHL level but offers very little in the goal scoring department. There isn't much left to prove at the AHL level so he could break camp with the Kings if they decide some of their high-upside wingers need some additional seasoning in the minors.
Clune came over to Los Angeles in an offseason trade with Dallas and could become an absolute pest on the ice. He saw his offensive output bottom out and while he's a good skater he doesn't figure to ever be much of an offensive threat at the NHL level. He'll be in the AHL or the ECHL this season annoying the crap out of the other team.
