Stefan Matteau Signs In Sweden
After spending most of last season in the minor leagues, Stefan Matteau is on his way abroad. The free agent forward has signed a two-year contract with Linköping HC in the SHL, ending its run in North America for now.
Matteau, 28, was a first-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in 2012 and has bounced around the league in recent seasons. Playing NHL games with the Devils, Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, Columbus Blue Jackets and most recently the Colorado Avalanche, the versatile forward couldn’t quite establish himself as a full-time option.
It’s kind of interesting to see him head to Europe, considering Matteau has gotten NHL contracts time and time again, despite not really playing much at that level. Last season, he was signed to a one-year, two-way deal with the Avalanche that included a hefty minor league guarantee of $250,000. He had also secured $200,000 in guarantees on each of his last three contracts.
Still, with the SHL being a very competitive league and Matteau describing this chance as an “adventure” for himself and his family, it makes sense for him to take on the new challenge. If the two-year deal marks the end of his NHL career, he will finish with a career-high 92 games played and 11 points.