Hurricanes lock up Victor Rask with six-year, $24 million extension

As Eric Staal departed at the trade deadline, the Carolina Hurricanes needed to strengthen themselves down the middle. On Tuesday, they did that in locking up center Victor Rask to a six-year, $24 million deal.

“Victor has gotten better every season that he’s been a part of our organization,” said Hurricanes GM Ron Francis. “He is a big part of this team’s present and future, and we are thrilled to sign him to a longer-term deal.”

In two seasons with the Hurricanes, Rask, who hit RFA status on July 1, has scored 32 goals and 81 points and finished in the top five in scoring on the team. The 2011 second-round pick also led Carolina in power play points last season with 18.

While a long-term deal for a young player who’s averaged 40 points in two years might raise some eyebrows, it’s a much better gamble for the Hurricanes to take than one on an aging player passed his prime and currently in decline. Rask has improved in his two NHL seasons and given the extra ice time and responsibility he’s bound to begin receiving this coming year he’ll only continue to get better.

As per General Fanager, the move puts the Hurricanes $1 million over the salary cap floor and just under $18 million in space to play with. Francis has a few more RFAs to deal with including defenseman Ryan Murphy.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy