Hurricanes Re-Sign Forward Erik Cole for Two Years

The Carolina Hurricanes retained the services of right wing Erik Cole on Wednesday by signing him to a two-year contract worth $5.8 million. The deal averages out to $2.9 million per season. The Hurricanes acquired Cole at the 2009 trade deadline from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Patrick O’Sullivan, whom they had acquired in an earlier trade. In 80 games last season with the Oilers and Hurricanes, Cole scored 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points. In 498 career games with the Hurricanes and Oilers, he has 147 goals and 175 assists for 322 points. Despite struggling throughout most of last season and the 2009 playoffs, this is still a decent signing for the Hurricanes. After being traded back to the Hurricanes, Cole was impressive, scoring 17 points in 19 games. He adds plenty of offensive depth and toughness to the team’s forward lines and plays with plenty of skill. The Hurricanes likely signed him to a short-term contract because of his inconsistent play last season, but Cole should have no trouble improving his production playing on a team he’s familiar with.