De Haan signs four-year contract with Hurricanes

Calvin de Haan signed a four-year, $18.2 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. It has an average annual value of $4.55 million.

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The 27-year-old defenseman had 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) and was plus-11 in 33 games with the New York Islanders last season. He missed the final 49 games with a shoulder injury.
"To be honest, it was a pretty simple one," de Haan said. "I get to play with one of the best young blue lines in the NHL. That to me is very important. I feel I can step in and help this team win. I'm aware that the Hurricanes haven't made the playoffs in the past nine years and I want to be part of the solution here. That was basically it, and I feel I can help this team win."
De Haan knows the Hurricanes well from playing against them several times each season in the Metropolitan Division.
"They have fast, skilled forwards up front," he said. "You look at the overall possession numbers, they're annoying to play against. It's something I took into consideration. I expressed that to those guys. Not making playoffs for nine years, it [stinks]. But I want to be a part of that solution to make this team better, help the fans in Raleigh to appreciate the Hurricanes. I want to help, and I'll do my best to help the winning cause and hopefully put the Hurricanes and Carolina back on the map."

New York selected de Haan in the first round (No. 12) of the 2009 NHL Draft. He has 81 points (12 goals, 69 assists) in 304 NHL games and three assists in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
De Haan was asked if John Tavares' decision to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs affected his decision. The two were teammates for the past five seasons in New York.
"That's a tough one," he said. "Yes and no. When you have a guy like that in your lineup, you'll win more often than not. But it's JT's decision. You can't fault the guy for making a decision to want to play for his hometown team. I wish him the best of luck. He's a great captain, great teammate, and awesome to be around."
Hurricanes generel manager Don Wadell said de Haan adds to the depth of the Hurricanes defense.
"Calvin is a solid, puck-moving defenseman who will bring a veteran presence to the blue line," Waddell said. "He is a strong two-way player who is capable of shutting down opponents' top lines, and he will help solidify the left side and upgrade our defense.
"If we didn't do anything we probably would've had one of the top blue lines in the league," he said. "But it gives us other options, restocking the shelves. We have some time on our side and right now, the six guys we have under contract, still negotiating with Trevor van Riemsdyk, so we'll have seven."