Atlanta Thrashers' Free Agent Anthony Stewart signs with Carolina Hurricanes –NHL offseason Update
26-year-old Anthony Stewart, a right wing player of the now former Atlanta Thrashers' club, signed with Carolina Hurricanes after becoming a free agent on Saturday to a two-year, $1.8 million contract.
General Manager of Carolina Hurricanes, Jim Rutherford, announced the move on Saturday, regarding signing forward, Anthony Stewart.
"Anthony is a big man who plays a strong all-around game", Rutherford said. "He is coming off of a very good season with Atlanta and will be a strong addition to the Hurricanes' forward lines".
Carolina lost experienced forward, Erik Cole, on Friday during the first day of the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Free Agency, as he signed to a four-year, $18 million contract with Montreal Canadiens. They hope to fill the gap left by Cole by signing
Stewart.
"He (Anthony Stewart) was on our short list of free agents", Rutherford said about replacing Cole. "Once Erik made the decision to go elsewhere, we looked at him a lot closer”.
Stewart was picked as the 25th overall during round-one of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by Florida Panthers and played four straight seasons with Panthers until finally moving to Atlanta in 2010.
It was with Thrashers that Stewart really played a full season, before he was playing in between with an American Hockey League (AHL) club, Rochester Americans, and Florida.
He picked up 39 points, 14 goals and 25 assists, during last season in 80 games.
His coming onto the Hurricanes' line-up still has not quenched Carolina's thirst for a forward attacker, as it still has intentions to add another player to its offensive end during the free agency.
"But it does take the urgency out of us having to do anything before the start of the season" Rutherford said. "We will keep a watch out for any players we feel can upgrade our team, but we are not pressed to do so".
Losing Erik Cole might have a big impact on Carolina when the new season begins, but grabbing a few young attackers might take time for them to develop, but will eventually be better for the team as it looks for its first Stanley Cup.
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