Via NHL.com
The Carolina Hurricanes have officially signed veteran forward Derek Stepan. Stepan attended this year’s training camp on a professional tryout. Stepan spent the 2021-22 season with the Canes, netting nine goals and 10 assists in 58 games on the fourth line.
Stepan had an impressive training camp and preseason, with four points in three games. Stepan will likely play the same role as he did last year, as his veteran experience served him well on the fourth line. Last year Stepan served as a big part in the development of Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and will likely do the same for Jack Drury this season.
Stepan’s one-year deal carries a cap hit of $750,000. He is now the second veteran to turn a PTO into an NHL contract, after Calvin de Haan signed a one-year, $850K deal last week. Derek is entering his 13th NHL season and like many veterans on the Canes, is looking for his first Stanley Cup Championship.
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