(Raleigh) The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Jalen Chatfield to a three-year, $9 million contract.
The team announced the deal Friday, as interim general manager Eric Tulsky noted Charfield’s speed and work ethic have made him an “integral part” of the defensive squad.
Chatfield, 28, set career highs with eight goals and 14 assists last season. He joined Dmitry Orlov to form a very reliable third pair of defensemen and was on the verge of becoming an unrestricted free agent.
In May, the Hurricanes came to terms with head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who led the team to the playoffs during his six seasons behind the bench.
Tulsky will have key decisions to make regarding the team’s future unrestricted free agents, namely forward Jake Guentzel as well as defensemen Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce. Forwards Seth Jarvis and Martin Necas will become restricted free agents.
The Hurricanes lost in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs to the New York Rangers, the Presidents’ Trophy winners.
