Hurricanes sign Samsonov to 3-year deal

4/16/2008 4:27 PM

By JOEDY McCREARY
AP Sports Writer

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -Sergei Samsonov joined the Carolina Hurricanes and immediately produced like he hadn't in years. No wonder he wasn't about to leave after only part of a season in their forward-friendly system.

The midseason waiver-wire pickup who blossomed as the right wing on Carolina's second line signed a three-year, $7.6 million contract Wednesday to remain with the Hurricanes.

``From Day 1, I felt welcome and have been getting a great opportunity. I felt like it's a very good fit for me, personally, and I'm glad things worked out,'' Samsonov said. ``It's nice to get a long-term contract with a team that wants you.''

The announcement came roughly a week after Samsonov expressed a strong desire to return and general manager Jim Rutherford said re-signing the 1998 Calder Trophy winner was his top priority of the offseason. The 10-year NHL veteran would have been an unrestricted free agent July 1.

``It was very fast, and I think both parties felt that it was mutual, that I wanted to stay and I felt like the organization wanted me to stay as well,'' Samsonov said. ``You put those two together, and normally, the deal's done pretty easily.''

He will make $2.3 million next season, $2.5 million in 2009-10 and $2.8 million in 2010-11. He made $3.5 million last season, but the Hurricanes were responsible for only $800,000 of that when they claimed him Jan. 8 after Chicago waived him.

``We were very excited about Sergei's play after he arrived in Carolina,'' Rutherford said. ``It was important to the success of our team going forward that we keep him here.''

Almost immediately, Samsonov flourished in Peter Laviolette's free-flowing offensive system while sliding onto Rod Brind'Amour's line. He finished with 14 goals and 18 assists in 38 games - his best substantial point-per-game numbers since 2001-02, when he had 70 points in 74 games with Boston - while showing the form that once made him the league's top rookie with the Bruins.

``Sometimes you go to a team and you struggle, and sometimes it fits right away,'' Samsonov said. ``You just never know what's going to happen, and I'm glad things turned out pretty good. I was struggling for the most part the last two years. Then, I got to Carolina and you just want - not that you don't believe in yourself anymore - but you want to make sure you that you do well if you get the opportunity to play.''