RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes are keeping Erik Cole with a two-year deal.
He and the Hurricanes agreed to a contract Wednesday that will pay him $2.8 million this upcoming season and $3 million in 2010-11.
Carolina dealt Cole to Edmonton last summer, then reacquired him at the trading deadline. His return re-energized the Hurricanes — and All-Star Eric Staal in particular — down the stretch, but he struggled in the playoffs with no goals and five assists in 18 games.
He had 18 goals and 24 assists in 80 regular-season games.
Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford called Cole "an important piece for our franchise for a long time."
Cole became the second player to re-sign with Carolina this week. Jussi Jokinen previously signed on for two years.