The Hurricanes signed former Pittsburgh defenseman Josef Melichar on Wednesday to a one-year contract worth $1 million. They also gave Joni Pitkanen a three-year deal worth $12 million.
July 1 marked the start of free agency in both the NHL and NBA, and both of the state's teams in those league were busy, one more than the other.
The Carolina Hurricanes traded forward Erik Cole to the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Joni Pitkanen on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Cole had 22 goals and 29 assists last season.
Tuomo Ruutu had 10 goals and 22 assists while splitting last season with Carolina and Chicago. The Hurricanes picked him up in a deadline deal for forward Andrew Ladd.