Canes agree to terms with Brody Sutter, re-sign Justin Krueger, get turned down by Anderson

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Brody Sutter

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Director of Hockey Operations for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with center Brody Sutteron a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal will pay Sutter $525,000 per season at the NHL level, or $55,000 per season at the minor-league level, and includes a $105,000 signing bonus.

“Brody had a good final year of junior hockey, and played well in Charlotte to finish the season,”said Francis. “He’s a big body and has shown an ability to produce offensively.”

Sutter, 20, led the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Lethbridge Hurricanes in 2011-12 with 30 goals and 60 points, and ranked second on the team with 30 assists, while playing in 65 regular-season games. He was named the team’s most sportsmanlike player, won the Hurricanes’ community relations award and was voted “fan favorite” in an online poll. The Viking, Alb., native finished his junior hockey career with 57 goals and 68 assists (125 points) in 231 regular-season games with Lethbridge and Saskatoon.

Following the conclusion of Lethbridge’s season, Sutter (6’5”, 203 lbs.) joined the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL), and scored one goal and had a plus-1 rating in four games. Carolina drafted Sutter (6’5”, 203 lbs.) in the seventh round, 193rd overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He is the younger cousin of Hurricanes Alternate Captain Brandon Sutter, as well as forward Brett Sutter, who split 2011-12 between the Hurricanes and the Checkers.

Note: Brody wasn't a free agent, he just hadn't signed an entry level contract with the Canes yet. However, he was still part of the organization as the Hurricanes owned his rights when they drafted him.

Justin Krueger

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Director of Hockey Operations for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Justin Krueger (KROO-guhr) on a one-year contract. The deal will pay Krueger $600,000 on the NHL level or $90,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2012-13, with a guarantee of at least $105,000.

Krueger, 25, completed his first season of professional hockey in North America in 2011-12, skating in 58 games for the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). The Düsseldorf, Germany, native led all Checkers skaters in plus/minus (+16), while totaling two goals and 11 assists (13 points). Prior to joining Charlotte last season, Krueger played one season of professional hockey with SC Bern of the Swiss National League in 2010-11, earning 11 points (1g, 10a) and a plus-6 rating in 50 games.

Carolina’s seventh round selection, 213th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Krueger (6’3”, 215 lbs.) spent four seasons at Cornell University from 2006-10, notching 32 points (7g, 25a) in 135 games for the Big Red. He has represented Germany in several international competitions, including the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Justin is the son of Ralph Krueger, who worked as a scout for the Hurricanes and currently serves as Associate Coach for the Edmonton Oilers.

Note: Justin was a restricted free agent.

Frederik Anderson

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today issued the following statement about contract negotiations with goaltender Frederik Andersen. The team failed to reach an agreement by today’s 5 p.m. deadline, and Andersen will enter the 2012 NHL Draft. Andersen was Carolina’s eighth selection, 187th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

“We tried to sign Frederik to a contract, and made him aware that we felt there was an opportunity here for him to earn one of our two NHL spots during training camp,” said Rutherford. “We are very disappointed that he chose not to join our organization. Prior to him changing his agent, we had every indication that he was very interested in being a part of the Carolina Hurricanes.”

Note: Anderson now enters the 2012 NHL Draft.

Carolina Hurricanes Remaining Free Agents

UFA: Jaroslav Spacek ($3.833), Bryan Allen ($2.9), Mathieu Roy ($600), Brett Sutter ($525), Justin Soryal ($525), Justin Peters ($525), Chris Durno ($525).

RFA: Zach Boychuk ($1.196), Evgenii Dadonov ($875), Drayson Bowman ($846), Chris Terry ($750), Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll ($613), Kyle Lawson ($552.5), Matthew Pistilli ($522), Jerome Samson ($512.5).