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Free-agent goalie Jamie Storr signed a one-year, $500,000 deal with the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday and traveled to Washington for the team's game against the Capitals.
Storr, whose deal also includes incentive clauses, split time with Felix Potvin in Los Angeles last season, going 12-19-2 with a 2.55 goals against average.
Carolina sent backup
goalie Patrick DesRochers to the minors to make room for Storr, who made $1.6
million last season.
``This came out the blue that Jamie was still available at this point,'' Carolina
general manager Jim Rutherford said. ``This was something we felt we really
needed to do. This gives us more security at that position.''
Storr gives the Hurricanes a veteran backup to starter Kevin Weekes. Storr has a career record of 85-78-21, while DesRochers had played in just 11 NHL games.
Rutherford said Weekes remains the starter, but Storr could push for substantial playing time. Ticketmaster
``Those things always sort themselves out,'' Rutherford said. ``Kevin Weekes has been a very good goalie for us and he is certainly the No. 1 guy. As long as they play the way they're capable, there will be enough playing time for both of them.''
The signing of Storr means Arturs Irbe, one of the heroes of the team's 2002 run to the Stanley Cup finals, won't be returning to Carolina.
Rutherford sent Irbe to the minors last season after poor play and a ``play me or trade me'' demand. Carolina owes Irbe $5.2 million over the next two seasons and has been unable to trade him.
There was no news on Carolina's attempt to sign rookie center Eric Staal, the second overall pick in the 2003 draft. Rutherford has until 3 p.m. Monday to sign Staal or he returns to his junior team for the season. Ticketmaster
Staal has been Carolina's best player in the preseason, scoring a team-high five goals.
Carolina also picked up a 2004 fourth-round draft pick in the waiver draft in a trade with Atlanta for former Florida goalie Jani Hurme.
Hurme fell off the protected list during Friday's draft because the Panthers selected a goalie. So Carolina selected him, then traded for the Thrashers' draft pick.