The Hurricanes have wasted little time getting their top pick from last week’s NHL Entry Draft signed as the team announced that they have inked winger Andrei Svechnikov to a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal is worth the maximum base salary of $925K per year at the NHL level which includes the maximum 10% signing bonus. However, the team did not provide details of any potential performance bonuses.
GM Don Waddell had the following to say about the signing:
“This an exciting moment for our organization. Andrei is the type of elite talent that you can build a team around. He has a bright future in a Carolina Hurricanes uniform.”
Svechnikov was the second-overall pick in the draft following a dominating first junior season with Barrie of the OHL. He played in 44 games with the Colts, scoring 40 goals while adding 32 assists and finished up the regular season on a 23-game point streak. He followed that up with 11 points (5-6-11) in eight postseason contests but missed four games in the playoffs due to a suspension. All in all, his performance earned him OHL Rookie of the Year as well as being named the CHL Prospect of the Year.
It’s widely expected that Svechnikov will start next season with the Hurricanes instead of being sent back to Barrie; he is unable to play in the AHL. He will add to what is quickly becoming an intriguing base of young talent up front including Sebastian Aho (20) and Martin Necas (19).