Carolina Hurricanes

Canes sign Nestrasil to 2-year deal


The Canes Andrej Nestrasil (15) works against the Ducks Ben Lovejoy (6) and John Gibson (36) during the third period of an NHL game played between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Anaheim Ducks at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. on Feb. 12, 2015.
The Canes Andrej Nestrasil (15) works against the Ducks Ben Lovejoy (6) and John Gibson (36) during the third period of an NHL game played between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Anaheim Ducks at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. on Feb. 12, 2015. Raleigh

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Monday that they have agreed to terms with forward Andrej Nestrasil on a two-year contract that will pay him $875,000 in 2015-16 and $950,000 in 2016-17.

The Hurricanes later announced that four restricted free agents had received qualifying offers: forwards Zach Boychuk, Brody Sutter and Justin Shugg, and defenseman Rasmus Rissanen. Among those not receiving qualifying offers was center Riley Nash, who played 68 games for the Hurricanes last season; and Jared Staal, the brother of the Canes’ Eric and Jordan Staal.

Nestrasil, 24, was an NHL rookie in 2014-15, scoring seven goals and adding 13 assists in 54 games with the Detroit Red Wings and the Hurricanes.

The Prague native was acquired by Carolina on waivers on Nov. 20 and scored his first NHL goal during his Hurricanes debut, Nov. 22 at Colorado. He notched 18 of his 20 points after joining Carolina and his plus-2 plus/minus rating led the Canes.

“Andrej is a big body and a good fit for our team and what we’re trying to do,” general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. “He battled an injury last season, but proved he could produce offensively on the NHL level.”

Alexander: 919-829-8945; Twitter: @ice_chip

This story was originally published June 29, 2015 at 9:32 AM with the headline "Canes sign Nestrasil to 2-year deal."

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