RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed defenseman Joni Pitkanen and forward Patrick Dwyer to multiyear contracts.
The Hurricanes announced the deals Tuesday, three days before the players could have become unrestricted free agents.
Carolina says Pitkanen agreed to a three-year contract that will pay him $4.5 million per season. Dwyer received a two-year deal and will make $600,000 this season and $650,000 in 2012-13.
The 27-year-old Pitkanen led all Carolina defensemen last season with 30 assists. He made $4.5 million last season and remains the team’s highest-paid defenseman.
The 28-year-old Dwyer made $500,000 last season and had career highs of eight goals, 10 assists and 80 games played.
