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On Thursday morning, the Carolina Hurricanes agreed to terms with defenceman Jalen Chatfield on a three-year contract extension. This new deal, worth $3 million per season, ensures Chatfield remains with the Hurricanes and takes him off the market ahead of NHL free agency opening on July 1st.
Last week, Rick Dhaliwal of Donnie and Dhali – The Team reported that the Vancouver Canucks were interested in Chatfield should he become a free agent. The 28-year-old right-handed blueliner has been a valuable depth addition to the Hurricanes’ defensive core, making the new extension a significant move for Carolina.
Chatfield, who had been earning the league minimum for the last three seasons, has shown remarkable improvement, earning a well-deserved raise that is still cost-effective for the Hurricanes. He was initially signed to a three-year entry-level contract by then-Canucks GM Jim Benning on March 13, 2017, marking the start of his NHL career.
After becoming a free agent in 2021, Chatfield signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. During his time with the Canucks, he recorded one assist and a plus-minus of -11 in 18 games. However, it was in Carolina where Chatfield truly found his stride, becoming an integral part of the team’s defensive structure over his two years as an NHL regular. His game has developed significantly, contributing to the Hurricanes’ success while remaining on a budget-friendly contract.
In Carolina, Chatfield has tallied 14 goals, 25 assists, and a plus-minus of +39 in 166 games. This extension reflects his growth and value to the Hurricanes’ lineup.
The Canucks, facing potential losses on their blue line with defencemen Ian Cole and potentially Nikita Zadorov hitting free agency, may need to be active on July 1st to address these gaps. Canucks GM Patrik Allvin will likely be busy trying to fill these holes as Vancouver looks to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a competitive roster.
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