:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67723385/1266866858.0.jpg)
The Hurricanes have crossed off the last major item on their offseason to-do list, signing restricted free agent Warren Foegele to a one-year, $2.15-million contract.
Foegele had filed for arbitration and his hearing was scheduled for this Wednesday. With this signing, the Canes avoided arbitration with all of their filers: Forwards Foegele and Clark Bishop and defensemen Haydn Fleury and Gustav Forsling.
After a cup of coffee at the end of the 2017-18 season, Foegele had a modest rookie season in 2018-19 before stepping up in a big way during the playoffs, scoring five goals and nine points.
Last season, Foegele posted career highs in goals (13), assists (17) and points (30) while continuing to cement his role on the team as a strong two-way forward and penalty killer.
Foegele’s signing gives the Canes 12 forwards under contract, and 13 if you include Morgan Geekie. It also leaves the team with less than $1 million in cap space, so, barring a trade to clear salary, the team is likely done adding to next year’s roster.
While it’s unlikely they use it, signing their last arbitration filer also gives the Canes a second buyout window:
With the #Canes final arbitration case now settled, a 2nd buyout window will open:
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) November 1, 2020
The window begins in 2 days, & is open for 24 hours.
Players eligible for buyout must:
1. Has a cap hit =>$4,000,000
2. Had been on the reserve list on the trade deadlinehttps://t.co/UZcfOdnUTb https://t.co/g3srJkCrgi
The official release from the Hurricanes follows:
‘CANES SIGN FOEGELE TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT
Winger set career highs in goals, assists and points in 2019-20
RALEIGH, NC – Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed forward Warren Foegele to a one-year, $2.15 million contract.
“Warren has shown improvement each year of his professional career,” said Waddell. “We expect him to continue to develop and enhance his role on our team.”
Foegele, 24, established career highs in goals (13), assists (17), points (30) and average time on ice (13:43) in 68 games last season and ranked tied for fifth in the NHL in shorthanded goals (3). The Markham, Ont., native appeared in all eight of the Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup playoff contests, scoring the series-clinching goal in Game 3 of the Qualifying Round against the New York Rangers.
The 6’2”, 198-pound left wing was selected by the Hurricanes in the third round, 67th overall, in the 2014 NHL Draft and has totaled 48 points (25g, 23a) in 147 career NHL games with Carolina.