The Wild signed Brett Leason to a professional tryout contract Friday, two weeks before the start of training camp.
The 26-year-old winger played the past three seasons for Anaheim. In 62 games last season he scored five goals and played a role on the Ducks’ penalty-killing unit.
The Wild’s .724 penalty-kill percentage last season was third-worst in the NHL. Anaheim was one spot better at .741.
Leason, 6-5 and 218 pounds, is a native of Calgary and was chosen in the second round (56th overall) by Washington in the 2019 draft from Prince Albert in the Western Hockey League.
He played his rookie season with the Capitals in 2021-22 before he was waived and picked up by Anaheim. In 220 NHL games he has 25 goals, 29 assists and 54 penalty minutes.
The professional tryout contract, or PTO, enables NHL teams to sign veteran players for evaluation before committing to contracts.
The Wild also will have 38-year-old defenseman Jack Johnson in camp on a PTO.
Prospect tournament set
The Wild will play host to the Tom Kurvers Showcase next week, a short tournament that will include some its top young players.
