The 36-year-old forward had 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) in 71 games for the Winnipeg Jets last season.
"I'm excited to join the squad, excited to get going," Stastny said. "I've always respected, the last couple of years for sure, the way they play. Every team's good on paper, but then to show consistencies and some different work ethics and kind of the challenges different teams bring upon you.
"Carolina was always one of those teams like, these guys play good, they play the same style where all four lines come at you hard and aggressive. They play that smart, two-way game, and they've been close (to winning the Stanley Cup). We were always kind of interested in them, and then to make it work was something I'm very excited about."
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Selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round (No. 44) of the 2005 NHL Draft, Stastny has 800 points (284 goals, 516 assists) in 1,072 regular-season games for the Jets, Vegas Golden Knights, St. Louis Blues and Avalanche, and 69 points (26 goals, 43 assists) in 103 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"Paul is an extremely reliable veteran who has been effective at both ends of the ice for his entire career," Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said. "He adds even more experience and leadership to our forward group, and we are excited to have him in Carolina."
The Hurricanes (54-20-8) finished first in the Metropolitan Division last season but lost in seven games to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Second Round. They lost in the second round in 2021, the first round in 2020, and the Eastern Conference Final in 2019.
"It's a chance to win, that's what everyone wants," Stastny said. "It's so hard. You can ask anybody, any year there's 20 teams that think they have a chance of winning. But there's a good mix of young players coming into their own and a good mix of veterans. There's a coach (Rod Brind'Amour) who understands how to win. The last two years, I can recall they've been pretty close to winning. … I just like the combination they have of skill, speed and strength, and a mix of younger guys who are hungry and older guys who want to win as well.
"We had a lot of different options on the table. I've been fortunate to play on good teams, and you come close (to winning the Stanley Cup) and realize how hard it is. Maybe it never comes, and that's all right. But as long as you get a chance and you have good teams come knocking on your door and they think you're valuable, I think that's a risk you're always willing to take."
NHL.com staff writer Tracey Myers contributed to this report
