One day after acquiring defenseman Joni Pitkanen from the Edmonton Oilers the Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed him to a three year, $12 million contract, counting as $ 4million per season against the Hurricanes cap.

The Hurricanes are committing considerable coin to a player who has yet to be play a game in their lineup so in a way it's like a UFA signing. It's a considerable increase over the $2.4 million he earned last season with the Oilers, an injury-filled one where he managed only 26 points in 63 games after two strong 40 + point seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers.

But Pitkanen could be that puck-moving blueliner the Hurricanes have been lacking for the past two years and should be a significant addition to their offensive attack, particularly on the power play.

Having dealt away Erik Cole to Edmonton for Pitkanen the $4 million for next season that would've gone to Cole now goes to their new defenseman.