RALEIGH, N.C. — Less than two weeks after acquiring him, the Hurricanes signed center Jordan Staal to a 10-year deal worth $60 million on Sunday.
Staal, 23, had career highs of 25 assists and 50 points last season with Pittsburgh. (His 25 goals were four off.)
He turned down a similar offer from the Penguins two weeks ago, prompting a trade to the team that had brother Eric. Staal will make $4.5 million this season before the deal kicks in.
"The perception has totally changed about the Hurricanes since we've acquired Jordan Staal," Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said. "This is really a game-changer for us; the fact that you get a young, elite player that can do so many different things in the game."
Big prizes still there
Predators defenseman Ryan Suter and Devils left wing Zach Parise, the top free agents, did not sign on Day 1.
Suter's agent, Neil Sheehy, said he fielded "countless phone calls, emails and messages. … I don't expect a quick decision."
But Parise said he believes he will decide today.
"I'm not at liberty to say right now who's in or anything like that," he said. "But by no means does that say that the Devils aren't one of my top teams."
Detroit, with about $18 million in cap space, is expected to go after both. Coach Mike Babcock traveled to Toronto to be part of a pitch to Parise.
Minnesota also has enough space to sign both. And its Twitter account said it made offers.
Re-signings: Kings left wing Dustin Penner got one year and $3.25 million. He had seven goals and 10 assists in the regular season but three and eight, respectively, in the playoffs. … Oilers left wing Ryan Smyth, 36, got two years and $4.5 million. He had 19 goals and 27 assists last season. … Florida's Scott Clemmensen, 14-6-6 with a 2.57 goals-against and .913 save percentage last season, got two years. Salary wasn't disclosed.
Sens-Jackets trade: Columbus sent Marc Methot, one of its top defensemen last season, to Ottawa for the rights to wing Nick Foligno. Foligno, 24, a restricted free agent, has scored at least 14 goals in each of his four seasons.
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