July 01, 2012 10:22 AM
The Carolina Hurricanes didn’t take long to fill the first of what could be multiple goaltending vacancies.
About an hour into the NHL’s unrestricted free agent period on Sunday, the Checkers’ NHL affiliate announced a new two-year contract for Justin Peters, who spent the bulk of last season in Charlotte. The deal is a two-way in its first year and a one-way in its second year in terms of salary, though he would still be eligible to play in the AHL for both seasons.
As of now, Peters, 25, is first in line to back up Cam Ward with the Hurricanes next season – a role he filled for the entirety of the 2010-11 campaign before returning to the AHL this past season – due to a significant shoulder injury to Brian Boucher. When Boucher returns to health in what’s expected to be four to six months, Peters could potentially return to the Checkers, who have just one goalie, John Muse, under contract for next season.
The current hierarchy leaves Muse as the organization’s No. 3 option, though it’s likely that the organization will bring in at least one other goalie to either back up in the NHL, start in Charlotte or serve as understudy to Muse as the fourth option.
Brought in to split time with Mike Murphy before grabbing the starter’s reigns down the stretch, Peters played 28 games with the Checkers, posting a 2.77 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. He was the AHL’s Goalie of the Month in November, during which he posted a 5-1-1 record with a 1.63 goals-against average and .949 save percentage.
Earlier Sunday, TSN reported that the Hurricanes had agreed to a new contract with Checkers captain Brett Sutter, which the team later confirmed. Along with Peters, Sutter, a 25-year-old veteran who can play both at center and on the wing, was one of 10 players from last season’s AHL roster that officially became unrestricted free agents on Sunday. Sutter's contract is a one-year, two-way deal.
In his third season with the Checkers and first as captain, Sutter set career highs in goals (13), assists (16) and points (29). He also played in a career high 15 NHL games with Carolina, registering three assists. Sutter could join cousin Brody, who signed his first professional contract with the Canes earlier this offseason, on the Checkers next season.
Other Checkers still on the market as of 12:30 on Sunday were forwards Chris Durno, Cedric McNicoll, Matthew Pistilli, Justin Soryal and Matt Beca and defensemen Mathieu Roy, Ryan Donald and Chris Murray. |
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