RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes, chasing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and looking toward a Stanley Cup this season, took a well-planned step Monday toward ensuring their future after this season, as well.
The Hurricanes, leaders of the Metropolitan Division, signed forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi to an eight-year extension, which would keep the 21-year-old forward with the franchise through the 2029-30 season.
The team said the deal will have an average-annual value of $4.82 million. Carolina announced the deal on the same day the Hurricanes acquired forward Max Domi and defenseman Tyler Inamoto in a three-team deal ahead of the trade deadline.
The story behind the Hurricanes and Kotkaniemi is not your typical transaction in NHL parlance. They acquired Kotkaniemi in September, signing him as a restricted free agent to a one-year, $6.1 million offer sheet. The Montreal Canadiens, who selected the former No. 3 overall draft pick in 2018, opted not to match the deal in…
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