Canes sign Teravainen to 2-year contract

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Teuvo Teravainen to a two-year contract that will pay him $2.86 million per season in 2017-18 and 2018-19, the team announced Thursday.

“Teuvo is a highly-skilled player and an important part of what we are building here,” Canes general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. “He’s still a very young player and we look forward to seeing him take the next step in a Hurricanes uniform.”

Teravainen, 22, had career highs in games played (81), goals (15), assists (27) and points (42) in 2016-17. The Helsinki, Finland, native ranked second among Hurricanes skaters in power-play points (15) and fifth in assists during his first season with the club.

Teravainen, who was a restricted free agent, was acquired by Carolina on June 16, 2016, along with Bryan Bickell from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2016 NHL Draft and a third-round pick in 2017.

By his own admission, Teravainen had an inconsistent first season with the Hurricanes.

“I think I had my ups and downs but I think my overall game is better,” he said. “It took a little time at the start to get to know the guys and everything. When I got to know everybody and got to know the system, I think I started playing better.

“Of course, everyone has some tough times during the year. But I feel good about myself. I think I’m getting better.”

Teravainen was selected by the Blackhawks in the first round, 18th overall, of the 2012 NHL Draft, and has totaled 86 points (32 goals, 54 assists) in 196 career regular-season games with Chicago and Carolina.

This story was originally published June 15, 2017 at 9:50 AM with the headline "Canes sign Teravainen to 2-year contract."