RALEIGH, N.C., June 28 (UPI) -- Impending free-agent defenseman Joni Pitkanen and forward Patrick Dwyer have signed multi-year contracts with the Carolina Hurricanes, the team said Tuesday.
Pitkanen, due to become an unrestricted free agent Friday, agreed to a three-year deal that will pay him $4.5 million each season, General Manager Jim Rutherford said.
The 27-year-old also made $4.5 million last season, when he was the Hurricanes' highest-paid defenseman, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Last season Pitkanen racked up 35 points with five goals and 30 assists, second in scoring among Carolina defensemen, while playing in 72 of the team's 82 games.
Dwyer, meanwhile, signed a two-year contract that will pay him at total of $1.25 million.
The 28-year-old compiled eight goals and 10 assists over 80 games last season, all career highs.
