The Carolina Hurricanes blueline continued to get bigger as they signed defenseman Josef Melichar to a one year deal worth 1 million USD. The 29 year-old is known as a "defense first" defenseman and is listed at 6'2, 220.
Josef is a big, strong, and experienced defensive defenseman who will be a shut-down player for us," said Carolina GM, Jim Rutherford.
The bruiser has played 310 NHL games so far in his career, all with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Last year he played in the Swedish Elite League.
It would seem that this might mark the end of Dennis Seidenberg's Hurricanes career. Rutherford also alluded to trading another defenseman, to make room in the Hurricanes budget for Pitkanen.
The blueliners currently under contract are-
- Joe Corvo
- Frank Kaberle
- Nic Wallin
- Anton Babchuk
- Josef Melichar
- Tim Gleason
- Casey Borer (2 way deal)
- Tim Conboy (2 way deal)
Joni Pitkanen and Dennis Seidenberg are restricted free agents who are still unsigned.