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Adam Clendening is probably getting really good at packing a suitcase. The 23-year-old defenseman has had one of the most unique years for any NHL prospect in recent memory and it took another abrupt turn Wednesday.

Clendening was claimed off of waivers by the Edmonton Oilers after being placed there by the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday.  It was the latest twist in a yearlong journey that started with Clendening being traded by the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 31, 2015. The Oilers will represent the fifth NHL organization Clendening has belonged to since that day. 

Here is how the four moves landed Clendening with five different NHL clubs:

1. The former Blackhawks second-round draft pick, selected seven spots before Brandon Saad who would go on to help Chicago win two Stanley Cup titles, was traded to the Vancouver Canucks last January in exchange for prospect Gustav Forsling. Chicago didn’t have enough room on the blue line and at 22 years old at that point, Clendening was due a better opportunity elsewhere. It looked like he was going to get it in Vancouver.

The Western New York native played in 17 games with the Canucks, but was unable to stick with the big club. He spent most of the rest of the season with the Utica Comets in the AHL, where he helped the team reach the Calder Cup Final. It looked like he might get another shot at the big club for this season as he signed a one-year contract with the Canucks in July.

2. Not even three weeks later, he was on the move again. The Canucks traded Clendening to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with Nick Bonino for Brandon Sutter and a third-round pick.

Clendening made the Penguins roster but was used sparingly. He had one assist in nine games in Pittsburgh and was later sent to the AHL where he joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He wasn’t there terribly long, though.

3. The Pens called him back up to the big club on Jan. 10, just 11 days after sending him down. Before ever getting to play another game in a Penguins uniform, Clendening was traded to the Ducks along with David Perron for forward Carl Hagelin on Jan. 16.

4. He never appeared in a single game for the Ducks before the team waived him Wednesday. They probably figured or hoped he would pass through waivers, but instead the Oilers were there to pick him up.

And that’s how you go through five NHL organizations in 12 months while appearing in a grand total of 30 NHL games. You also have to keep in mind the fact that Clendening has played for three AHL teams on top of his five NHL organizations, so he has been a member of eight different individual teams in the past year. 

This is somewhat reminiscent of Mark Arcobello's four-team escapade through the NHL last season, but throw in the three AHL stints and what Clendening has endured seems even more turbulent.

It has indeed been a rocky ride for Clendening since last January, but this is a player that came into the pro ranks with some pedigree.

After being selected in the second round in 2011, Clendening had a stellar sophomore year at Boston University. He put up 33 points in 38 games and was signed by Chicago after the NCAA season wrapped up. That led to two remarkable AHL seasons with the Rockford IceHogs. He had 46 points as a pro rookie and 59 the following year including 12 goals. Things were going even better the next year as he earned a call-up to the Blackhawks and saw a few games before being shipped back to the minors.

Then he was sent off on this weird journey through the NHL.

Clendening had two points in four games with Chicago, two in 17 with the Canucks, one in nine games with the Penguins, played zero games with the Ducks and now may finally get his chance to stick with the Oilers.

The good news is that Clendening remains wanted, otherwise he wouldn't be included in deals or claimed off waivers. He’s starting to get to the age now where he’s in the make-or-break stage of his ability to become a full-time NHLer, but he should have his best chance in Edmonton. Their blue line is thin and they may be looking to ship out some of their veteran players as the deadline nears, creating even more of an opportunity. That is, unless some other team wants to give Clendening a chance via trade.

A talented puck-mover, one of the knocks on Clendening has been his skating. Still, there is such high value placed on players that can move the puck. If he has some success in Edmonton, that could be the boost his career needed. After the year he's had, some stability would be probably be welcome. Perhaps the waiver claim works out well for both parties. Otherwise he could be on the move again.

Adam Clendening (right) is on his fifth team since last January. (USATSI)
Adam Clendening (right) is on his fifth team since last January. (USATSI)