NHL free agency began Friday at noon, and the Canes quickly were in the thick of it, signing goaltender Brian Boucher and center Tim Brent to two-year contracts while losing forward Erik Cole to the Montreal Canadiens.
Boucher, who was the backup goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers last season, will receive a total of $1.9 million. Brent's two-year deal is worth $1.5 million.
The Canes also have re-signed forward Jiri Tlusty to a one-year deal worth $525,000.
"We accomplished most things today," Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said. "Unfortunately we were not able to keep Erik Cole. ... We were able to get our backup goalie and our fourth-line center, the ones we were hoping to get."
Boucher, 34, was 18-10-4 with a 2.42 goals-against average and .916 save percentage last season in Philadelphia. He has 314 games of NHL experience and 119 career wins.
"He's an experienced NHL goalie that will help our team and will be a good partner for Cam (Ward)," Rutherford said. "He was on the top of our list. I asked (goaltending coach) Tom Barrasso at the end of the season to put together a list of potential goalies that we could pick up and prioritize them. That was his No. 1 choice."
Brent, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, will be paid $700,000 next season and $800,000 in 2012-2013.
Rutherford had said he wanted to sign a fourth-line center who was strong on faceoffs, a capable penalty killer and was affordable. Brent, who was 52 percent on draws last season, met all the criteria.
Brent, 27, tore a pectoral muscle in a preseason game before the 2009-2010 season, sidelining him for four months. Once healthy, he played 33 games for the Toronto Marlies, then was able to play for the Leafs in their final regular-season game.
He was durable this past season, appearing in 79 games for the Leafs, scoring eight goals and picking up 12 assists. He blocked 58 shots and averaged 1:58 in shorthanded time last season, tops among the Leafs' forwards.
"He had a good year last year and I think he's an ideal fit for us," Rutherford said. "He's got great character, he's a good penalty killer, a good faceoff guy and will be a good fit. He also played the point on the power play a little bit, which he may get that opportunity here."
Brent had some big moments against the Canes last season. In a Jan. 24 game in Raleigh, he had two goals -- one shorthanded -- and three points, albeit in a 6-4 loss.
On Feb. 3 in Toronto, Brent helped kill off a Canes' 5-on-3, going down to the ice three times to block shots as Carolina failed to score. The Leafs, leading 1-0 at the time, won 3-0.
Tlusty, 23, notched six goals and earned six assists in 57 games for the Canes last season.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
A good Pick up for the Canes
Sat, 07/02/2011 - 10:23 — esteban1949we now havew a very good back up for Ward...and brent will work well here ...as far as Tlusty goes...i think he'll do even better this coming season...yes as a fan i have been wrong more times than a dog/cat has fleas & ticks...but at least I'm batting 1000 ...doesn't that count ?? :-D but remember fans...we all shall see what we shall see...and wouldn't just rock the house if the canes do get in the playoffs and were to sweep the habs ?
Go Canes !!
If It Ain't Hockey,It Ain't Nothing!!
How many years at the NHL
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 16:05 — CanarseHow many years at the NHL level do you watch a guy not develop? They guy wasn't tendered, attracted no attention from other organizations and signed for $25K over minimum. Do you think Bowman, Boychuck, Dalpe and Samson could be signed for $525K? Heck, no. If Samson is considered on the roster there are two forward spots available. Finally, I'll complain all I want.
Just to be clear on a couple
Sun, 07/03/2011 - 02:38 — redblackhockeyJust to be clear on a couple of things:
The league minimum salary for 2011-12 is $525k. Tlusty's contract is for the league minimum.
Bowman, Boychuk, Dalpe and Samson are all already under contract. Not sure what you mean by "could (they) be signed for $525k?" Of course in a theoretical world where they were free agents, you wouldn't sign them for $525k because Zac andZach deserve more, but that has nothing to do with Tlusty. To sort of answer that question, Samson will also make the league minimum this coming season (and I don't think he'll be on the big team anyway). The others are on entry-level contracts laden with bonuses.
That said, you're right that it's frustrating to watch Tlusty. He's not showing us what he's allegedly capable of doing.
What it has to do with
Sun, 07/03/2011 - 07:15 — CanarseWhat it has to do with Tlusty is that Tlusty is a roadblock in the way of the higher potential forwards. If Tlusty had a 2-way contract it would make sense because you know the Hurricanes aren't going to eat a contract if it continues to be apparent that Tlusty isn't getting it done.
Boucher!!!!
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 15:28 — Caniac5Yeah! I picked this backup for us!! I hope him the best here!
Now, Tlusty...? He never impressed me in Toronto or here. He might have been a first round pick but we all make mistakes!!!
GO CANES!
Yawn...
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 14:58 — CanarseBoucher is an improvement, but Brent and now Tlusty!!! Why in the world would they bring back Tlusty. They must really not like the young guys in Charlotte. Like I said before, get used to not making the playoffs.
Were you expecting any different?
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 15:25 — MichaelDreamboatBrent likely takes over as 4th line center and Dwyer moves to his more natural position of right-wing, taking over for Bodie. Tlusty provides the proverbial "organizational depth".
And did you really expect the Hurricanes to make a splash on signing day? If that's the case, you surely haven't been following them for too long. Because they haven't done anything big since their failed offer sheet to Sergei Fedorov and the subsequent signing of Ron Francis in 1998.
And then there's the minor detail that making a signing that won't make you "yawn" would require the organization to spend a lot of money. Money the organization doesn't have. Money that few small-market teams have.
Tlusty
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 15:33 — CanarseNo, I didn't expect a splash, but Tlusty didn't sign a two-way contract. He's not organizational depth, he's an organizational pylon in the way of the young forwards at Charlotte. I can't believe it.
Tlusty
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 15:56 — MichaelDreamboatAt 23, Tlusty isn't much older than the kids at Charlotte he's apparently standing in the way of. And last season, with Tlusty in their way, those young forwards (I'm guessing you mean Bowman, Boychuk, Dalpe, Samson) still saw plenty of game time with the Hurricanes. Besides, with Cole in Montreal, and Stillman likely to follow him out, there will be plenty of roster spots up for grabs. Save your complaints about the roster until the roster is set for opening night.
LOL
Sat, 07/02/2011 - 00:40 — hellfishI'm not sure if canarse is a Canes fan or a hater...sure has a different oppinion though ,but i agree on Tlusty ,his 1 way deal last year was questionable...Defending Montreal's anthem booing fans in the other thread is puzzleing...Is there another team in Raleigh other than our division opponents we Canes fans should hate worse that the "habs"?..sheesh
Not into hating...
Sat, 07/02/2011 - 09:28 — CanarseI'm sorry you're into hating. Hating a team is one thing, attacking a cluture as losers is another. If you would actually read my post I did not defend the people that booed the National Anthem. Do you really want to start a flame war?
I am a Canes fan that isn't pleased with how the team is being handled.
LOL
Sat, 07/02/2011 - 11:31 — hellfishFlame war lol...Bring it on!..I have my fire truck ready.
LOL indeed...
Sat, 07/02/2011 - 12:03 — CanarseI suppose you do. Pass.
I'll address your opinions, but I have no interest in personal attacks.