As expected, Derek Stepan has managed to convert his PTO into an NHL contract. The Carolina Hurricanes have signed the veteran forward to a one-year, $750K deal. General manager Don Waddell explained exactly why:
Having Derek in Carolina last season, we know what he brings to the table and what he adds to our team. He gives us additional forward depth and provides us with yet another veteran presence in the locker room.
The move suggests that the Hurricanes have moved Max Pacioretty to long-term injured reserve to make room for the additional cap space required for Stepan’s new deal.
Now 32, Stepan is coming off a solid season with the Hurricanes that saw him rack up nine goals and 19 points in 58 games, despiting averaging fewer than 11 minutes a night. Playing the veteran mentor to many of the team’s younger players, he once again will return as valuable depth for a club with Stanley Cup aspirations.
While we’re now several years removed from Stepan’s prime when he was a locked-and-loaded 50-point center, there’s still plenty of value in adding him to the group. Not only can he bring a bit of depth scoring but he posted a 55.9% faceoff percentage last season, destroying his career total.
If he can keep that up, there actually may be even more situations when head coach Rod Brind’Amour relies on him. Remember, the Hurricanes lost Vincent Trocheck in the offseason, their only other right-handed center. While Seth Jarvis and Martin Necas do have some experience there, the veteran Stepan will likely be relied on in certain defensive situations.