Hurricanes lock Staal down for seven more years

From TSN:

The Carolina Hurricanes have locked up their franchise player, signing centre Eric Staal to a multi-year contract extension on Thursday. Sources says the deal is for seven years, starting next season, and is believed to be worth in excess of $8 million per season.

Sources says the deal is for seven years, starting next season, and is believed to be worth in excess of $8 million per season.

Staal, 23, is entering his fifth season with the Hurricanes and the final year of a three-year contract he signed in 2006 that will pay him $5 million. He is eligible for restricted free agency after the season.

Read the entire story here.

Eric Staal possesses all the attributes necessary to be a franchise player in the NHL.  He is big, strong, fast, has good hands and is a good leader and teammate.  An $8 million price tag in this day and age is about market value for a player with his abilities. Good job by Jim Rutherford to get the team’s franchise player on board long-term.