Hurricanes Sign Staal to Seven-Year Extension

The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that they have signed forward and franchise player Eric Staal to a seven-year contract extension worth $57.75 million. The deal averages out to $8.25 million per season. Staal, who was in the final year of his current contract, was eligible for restricted free agency in 2009 and would have been a prime target for an offer sheet. Last season, Staal scored 38 goals and added 44 assists for 82 points in 82 games played. Staal was the team leader in those four categories last season. In four season, all with the Hurricanes, Staal has 124 goals and 159 assists for 283 points in 327 games played. This is an excellent move by the Hurricanes, as Staal has demonstrated over the last four seasons with his fine offensive skill that he is the team's franchise player. Now under contract through the 2015-16 season, Hurricanes fans are in for a treat, as Staal's best seasons are still to come.