LaRose With Hurricanes For 2 More Years

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The Carolina Hurricanes are keeping Chad
LaRose with a two-year deal.
    The Hurricanes on Thursday said they signed the popular forward
to a contract that will pay him $1.5 million in the upcoming season
and $1.9 million in 2010-11.
    The 27-year-old LaRose is coming off a career year with personal
bests of 81 games, 19 goals and 31 points. He helped the Hurricanes
reach the Eastern Conference finals.
    Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford called LaRose, a
one-time undrafted free agent, “a key player for our franchise.“
    He became the third high-profile offensive player to re-sign
with Carolina this week. Fellow forwards Erik Cole and Jussi
Jokinen, who were also free agents, signed two-year deals.