Hurricanes Re-Sign Samsonov to Three-Year Deal

[Thrillhouse]

RALEIGH, NC—Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, announced today that the team has agreed to terms with right wing Sergei Samsonov (SAM-sawn-nahf) on a three-year contract. The deal will pay Samsonov $2.3 million in 2008-09, $2.5 million in 2009-10 and $2.8 million in 2010-11.

“We were very excited about Sergei’s play after he arrived in Carolina,” said Rutherford. “It was important to the success of our team going forward that we keep him here.”

Samsonov, 29, completed his 10th NHL season and first with the Hurricanes in 2007-08. Acquired by the Hurricanes on waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 8, the Moscow native scored 14 goals, earned 18 assists (32 points) and had a plus/minus rating of plus-7 in 38 games with Carolina. Samsonov (5’8’’, 188 lbs.) had just four assists in 23 games with Chicago prior to being assigned to Rockford of the American Hockey League (AHL) on Jan. 2, one week before joining the Hurricanes. Samsonov ranked second among Hurricanes skaters, behind only Eric Staal, in goals (14), assists (18) and points (32), during his 38 games with the team. He equaled his point total in 23 games with the Blackhawks in just his fourth game with the Hurricanes, and notched points in 10 of the final 15 games of the season for Carolina.

In 657 career regular-season NHL games with Boston, Edmonton, Montreal, Chicago and Carolina, Samsonov has scored 192 goals and earned 262 assists (454 points). The Bruins originally drafted Samsonov in the first round, eighth overall, in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft with a pick acquired in the deal that brought defenseman Glen Wesley to the Hurricanes organization in 1994. In 1997-98, he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie after tallying 22 goals and 25 assists (47 points) in 81 games with the Bruins, leading all rookies in goals, power-play goals and power-play points. Samsonov, who makes his off-season home in Michigan, has represented his native Russia in international play several times, including the 1997 World Junior Championships, the 2002 Olympic Games and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

[Isles4life]

Interesting move. Samsonov was completely lost until he went to Carolina, and then he started to become a productive player again. Maybe he's found a new home where he can contribute. Either that, or the Canes are gonna be kicking themselves for signing him for 3 years.

[jkidd]

Doesn't shock me. He played VERY well with the Canes this season, after being picked up off waivers.

The only question is if he can do it for an entire season.

[Cat Smasher]

He fit in really good with the Canes. 1-2 years I was expecting, 3 years I wouldn't really do that far. I bet he gets dealt before that 3rd year.

But they are going to have to do something, Brind and Whitney aren't going to be around forever. That leaves Staal and Cole...

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by jkidd

Doesn't shock me. He played VERY well with the Canes this season, after being picked up off waivers.

The only question is if he can do it for an entire season.

And there it is. I think he is very talented and can be productive as he showed once he got there, but 3 years? He could barely be productive for 1/2 a season let alone 3 years. I wish sergei well but this is a head scratching move. Kinda like the Commodore-Stillman trade but that worked out well for the Canes. Eh what do i know.

[canuckfan]

I would only pay him from year to year - seems like he really raised his game when he was playing for a new contract.

That being said, Samsonov has some serious skill and is one of those hockey players who has to be happy in order to play well and produce. Carolina threw him a life presever this year and he paid them back with some of his best hockey in years. He seems pretty happy and comfortable with the Canes where he can just fade into the background and not have to worry or feel pressured about supplying the bulk of the offense like he was in Chicago and Montreal. Still, this could turn out to be a real smart signing, and it really isn't all that pricey either.

[jayc948]

I think this was a good move by Carolina. He made a solid impact during his short stint and became an important part of the team even though they ultimately missed the playoffs. Questions as to whether he can keep it up legitimately ask whether or not a three-year was really warranted. That's up for debate but I feel that the Hurricanes have enough talent around Samsonov that he'll keep up his play for the next few years.

[McDonald19]

He played well for them...but I wouldn't have committed to 3 years. The value is good if he stays productive though.

[Corpse]

If I remember right I was the only guy on here who thought it was a good move on Carolina's part to pick him up when they did. Looks like they were happy with the way he performed for them.

[staal4pm]

I think he should hit the 30 goal mark next season. He fit in really well here and our system plays to his strengths.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by staal4pm

I think he should hit the 30 goal mark next season. He fit in really well here and our system plays to his strengths.

Boston and Montreal were saying the same stuff to but that never really happened. If he can do it and stay there then Carolina made the right move.

[Killah_punk]

3 years seems like alot for Samsonov, but he might be a good fit in Carolina where he doesnt have as much of a spotlight on his as in Boston and Montreal, he could be a productive 20-30 goal guy there.

[staal4pm]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Boston and Montreal were saying the same stuff to but that never really happened. If he can do it and stay there then Carolina made the right move.

He played well early on in Boston (I think he had two seasons close to 30 goals...maybe 28 or 29?) but yeah he was a bust in Montreal, Edmonton, and Chicago. But he potted 14 goals in 38 games playing about 16:00 per game. I hoping against hope that he can keep it up. He found good chemistry with linemates here (Eric Staal, Erik Cole, sometimes Tuomo Ruutu and Ray Whitney when he was healthy) so the indications from his time show that he should hit 30+. If he has his issues taken care of, which it appears he has, this is a system he should excel in.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by staal4pm

He played well early on in Boston (I think he had two seasons close to 30 goals...maybe 28 or 29?) but yeah he was a bust in Montreal, Edmonton, and Chicago. But he potted 14 goals in 38 games playing about 16:00 per game. I hoping against hope that he can keep it up. He found good chemistry with linemates here (Eric Staal, Erik Cole, sometimes Tuomo Ruutu and Ray Whitney when he was healthy) so the indications from his time show that he should hit 30+. If he has his issues taken care of, which it appears he has, this is a system he should excel in.

I couldnt agree more in the couple games i saw with him its clear there is chemistry there but its if he can keep it up. I hope for the Canes he can.

[chilly666]

ok so he'll do what he did with montreal. sign and suck for a year then get traded and play better in the 3rd year so he can get paid again for 2 months of non-suckie play. BULLSH*T!!!! he should go back to his homeland and rip them off!