Carolina sign Melichar, Pitkanen

[Terry]

Carolina Hurricanes sign defenceman Josef Melichar to one-year deal
Canadian Press
Jul 2, 2008, 11:58 AM EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes signed former Pittsburgh defenceman Josef Melichar to a US$1 million, one-year contract Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Melichar had eight assists and 74 penalty minutes in 50 games last season with Linkoping of the Swedish Elite League.

"Josef is a big, strong and experienced defensive defenceman who will be a shut-down player for us," Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said in a release.

Melichar, a six-foot-two 220-pounder, played in 310 games with Pittsburgh from 2000-07. He had his best offensive season in 2005-06, when he had three goals and 12 assists.

www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=367542&page=NewsPage&service=page

[Terry]

Hurricanes sign defenceman Joni Pitkanen to US$12-million, three-year contract
Canadian Press
Jul 2, 2008, 12:28 PM EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes signed newly acquired defenceman Joni Pitkanen to a US$12-million, three-year contract on Wednesday.

Pitkanen, acquired from the Edmonton Oilers on Monday for winger Erik Cole, was a restricted free agent. The deal will pay Pitkanen $3.5 million in 2008-09, $4 million in 2009-10 and $4.5 million in 2010-11.

The 24-year-old had 26 points (8-18) in 63 games with the Oilers last season while playing 24:07 minutes per game, second on the team. Pitkanen had 142 points (33-109) in 269 career NHL regular-season games with Philadelphia and Edmonton.

The Flyers selected Pitkanen fourth overall at the 2002 draft.

www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=367549&page=NewsPage&service=page