Carolina Hurricanes keep defenseman Tim Gleason with four-year, $16 million contract extension -NHL
Carolina Hurricanes managed to keep their veteran defenseman, Tim Gleason, on the team with a four-year contract extension worth a whopping $16 million, announced the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise on Monday, January 30, 2012.
The deal comes as boost from his previous four-year contract, which would have ended after this season, making him an unrestricted free agent. The last four-year deal which Gleason was on had also been signed with the Carolina Hurricanes and had a worth
of $11 million.
It had a an annual salary cap hit of $2.75 million, but his new deal gives him a lot more space with $4 million a year top.
Carolina Hurricanes’ general manager, Jim Rutherford, made the announcement during a press conference held by the team and applauded his consistent effort with the team and his hard work during the past few seasons.
"We thank Tim for choosing to stay with the Hurricanes long term," Rutherford said. "He is one of our core players, someone who brings character and leadership to our locker room, along with being a key piece on the ice. This is a very important signing
for our team going forward."
Tim Gleason was picked up as the 23rd overall draft pick during round-one of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators and has played a total of 526 games in his eight year career with a point record of 114 (15 goals, 99 assists).
Last season, Gleason played all 82 games, which was his first fill career season, in which he managed to pick up 16 points (2 goals, 14 assists). This season, Gleason has so far participated in all 51 games and just might be going on his way to picking up
a career high of points with 14 (1 goal, 13 assists) already.
Not being one of those players that score a lot of points is not something Tim Gleason worries about since he leads the team’s defenseman with 87 hits and playing for Carolina Hurricanes in each and every game without any issues.
Gleason could have also opted to go for the trade deadline and test his luck but staying with Carolina was a much better option for his as viewed by observers throughout the league.
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