Hurricanes Re-Sign Patrick Eaves

[Thrillhouse]

RALEIGH, NC—Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, announced today that the Hurricanes have agreed to terms with right wing Patrick Eaves on a three-year contract. Eaves will earn $1.1 in 2008-09, $1.4 million in 2009-10 and $1.7 million in 2010-11.

“Patrick is an important part of our forward corps going forward,” said Rutherford. “He just turned 24 years old and already has a 20-goal season under his belt. He battled through some injuries this past season, but we are looking forward to having him back and healthy this fall.”

Eaves, 24, completed his third NHL season in 2007-08, splitting the year between Ottawa and Carolina. The Fairbault, MN, native tallied four goals and six assists (10 points) in 26 games with the Senators before being acquired by Carolina on Feb. 11 along with Joe Corvo in exchange for Cory Stillman and Mike Commodore. He notched a goal and four assists (5 points) with Carolina to complete the season with five goals and 10 assists (15 points) in 37 games played. Eaves (5’11”, 190 lbs.) missed 42 games due to injury in 2007-08, playing in just 11 of the Hurricanes’ final 24 games after the trade, and underwent shoulder surgery on March 28. Selected by Ottawa in the first round, 29th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Eaves has totaled 39 goals and 37 assists (76 points) in 168 career regular-season NHL games with Ottawa and Carolina. He has also appeared in 17 Stanley Cup Playoff games, helping the Senators reach the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals.

Prior to turning professional, Eaves played three years of collegiate hockey at Boston College, where was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the top collegiate hockey player in 2004-05, registering 19 goals and 29 assists (48 points) in 36 games for the Eagles. Born in Calgary, Alb., but raised in Minnesota, Eaves was also a part of the United States National Team Development Program for two years, and captured a gold medal with the United States at the 2004 World Junior Championships.

[thepolishkid88]

Remember when we thought Carolina got ripped off in the trade that sent corvo and eaves to carolina. We were all wrong about that. Eaves really looks comfortable there.

[Isles4life]

Solid signing by the Canes to keep the cost low.

[chilly666]

hopefully he stays healthy, thats been his main problem

[staal4pm]

I'm not too thrilled with this signing. Eaves doesn't bring to the table anything we don't have already. His 20 goal season also came when he was moved up to play with Spezza and Alfredsson. That'll get 20 goal seasons out of even the most mediocre of NHL forwards. 1 year would have been fine to give him a chance what he can with the team for a healthy season. But another injury-proned forward who doesn't do anything special is not what we need, especially not for 3 years. I would have much rather seeing this guy go to waste and use the money to sign Ruutu and Gleason.

[Canes13]

Originally Posted by staal4pm

I'm not too thrilled with this signing. Eaves doesn't bring to the table anything we don't have already. His 20 goal season also came when he was moved up to play with Spezza and Alfredsson. That'll get 20 goal seasons out of even the most mediocre of NHL forwards. 1 year would have been fine to give him a chance what he can with the team for a healthy season. But another injury-proned forward who doesn't do anything special is not what we need, especially not for 3 years. I would have much rather seeing this guy go to waste and use the money to sign Ruutu and Gleason.

I agree, hopefully he will turn out to be good, even though it doesn't seem that way now. They're trying to negotiate a 1-year deal with Gleason and I believe just beginning talks with Ruutu. Also says they expect LaRose and Seidenberg will likely take them to arbitration.

[Unforgiven]

His 20 goal season also came when he was moved up to play with Spezza and Alfredsson.

Eaves never played a season with Spezza and Alfredsson.

[marc123]

Originally Posted by Unforgiven

Eaves never played a season with Spezza and Alfredsson.

I saw more of Heatley-Spezza-Eaves, but he definitely played with them.

[Unforgiven]

He played with them during the preseason and for the first two weeks of the reg. season. Before the Alfredsson-Heatley-Spezza line was concrete. He did not play with them for the majority of the season. Not even close to 1/4 of the season for that matter.

Just look at the playing time as proof during that season. Heatley, Spezza, Alfie all logged roughly 21 minutes of ice a game, while Eaves logged 12. He just did not play with those players. In fact, the list of forwards that played more minutes than Eaves is astounding that season. Havlat, Fisher, Schaefer, Smolinski and Arnason all logged higher numbers. His +/- is another indicator to the fact he never played with them. Heatley/Alfie were +29. Spezza was +23. Eaves was +7.

Eaves was a third line fixture occassionally seeing PP time and the odd stint with the second line. He did play on the PK. He was never a 1st line fixture.

[Podollan]

I dont know much how good or bad Eaves is as an player but for some reason I think the Canes will be very weak next season.