Canes sign Nordstrom to 2-year extension

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Friday that forward Joakim Nordstrom had been signed to a two-year, $2.55 million contract extension.

Nordstrom, obtained by Carolina in a September trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, will be paid $1.25 million in the 2016-17 season and $1.3 million in 2017-18.

In another personnel move Friday, the Hurricanes signed defenseman Jake Chelios to a one-year, two-way deal.

Nordstrom, 24, came to the Canes in the deal that also brought forward Kris Versteeg to Carolina. A versatile player, Nordstrom joined center Jordan Staal and winger Andrej Nestrasil in forming a hard-working, effective line before Nestrasil suffered a late-season injury, and he also was efficient in penalty killing.

“Joakim took a major step forward in his career last season,” general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. “We expect him to continue to grow as both a player and a leader on our team.”

Nordstrom set NHL career highs in games played (71), goals (10), assists (14) and points (24) during the 2015-16 season. The Stockholm native was fourth among Hurricanes skaters in plus/minus (plus-1).

Chelios, 25, led the Canes’ AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, in games played in 2015-16 with 73. He finished second among team defensemen in assists (24) and points (31).

“Jake was a steady presence for Charlotte last season in his first full season playing defense,” Francis said. “He showed that he can contribute offensively and, at 25, he fits in well with our organization’s young defensemen.”

Chelios will be paid $575,000 at the NHL level or $70,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2016-17.

This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 2:49 PM with the headline "Canes sign Nordstrom to 2-year extension."