Carolina Hurricanes sign Jay McClement to 2-year, $2.4 million contract extension

Turns out Jay McClement's two-goal surprise on Long Island last night won't be the final goals he scores as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes after all.

As first reported by TSN's Bob McKenzie and confirmed by the team, the Canes have signed McClement to a two-year contract extension worth a total of $2.4 million. McClement will earn $1.3 million next year and $1.1 million in the 2016-17 season.

McClement's new contract ensures that the Canes' penalty kill will not lose half of their league-leading top unit at the deadline, following Tim Gleason's trade to Washington yesterday. One of only two players to play every game for the Hurricanes this season, and the only forward to do so (Justin Faulk is the other), McClement has formed part of an effective fourth line all season and as the team continues to get younger, having his veteran presence will certainly benefit the locker room.

Signing McClement wraps up one of the final bits of pre-deadline business for Canes GM Ron Francis, and the team is now expected to remain quiet as the 3:00 deadline approaches tomorrow.

The release from the team is below.

‘CANES, McCLEMENT AGREE ON TWO-YEAR EXTENSION

Center is key member of Hurricanes’ top-ranked penalty kill

Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the Hurricanes have agreed to terms with center Jay McClement on a two-year contract extension. The deal will pay McClement $1.3 million in 2015-16 and $1.1 million in 2016-17.

"Jay has proven to be a valuable veteran leader for our club and it was important for us to keep him in Raleigh," said Francis. "He’s one of the league’s best face-off men and has played a key role in what currently stands as the best penalty-killing unit in team history."

McClement, 31, scored a pair of goals on Saturday night’s 5-3 victory against the Islanders and has now totaled 18 points (6g, 12a) and a plus-3 rating in 61 games for the Hurricanes this season. The Kingston, Ont., native leads the Hurricanes in shorthanded time on ice this season (2:24 per game), helping the team to an 88.2 percent penalty-killing mark, which ranks first in the NHL and franchise history. McClement (6’1", 205 lbs.) also ranks first on the team and 14th in the league in face-off percentage (55.3%).

A second-round (57th overall) pick by the St. Louis Blues in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, McClement has totaled 222 points (81g, 141a) and 281 penalty minutes in 743 career NHL games with St. Louis, Colorado, Toronto and Carolina. He has represented Canada in a number of international competitions, including the 2002 and 2003 World Junior Championships and the 2007 IIHF World Championship, where he won gold along with current Hurricanes teammates Cam Ward, Eric Staal and Jordan Staal. McClement originally signed with Carolina as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2014.