Mark Jankowski signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday. It has an average annual value of $1.85 million,
The 31-year-old forward had 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) in 68 regular-season games this season. He has one assist in eight Stanley Cup Playoff games for the Hurricanes, who are 8-0 and will play either the Montreal Canadiens or Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference Final. Carolina swept the Ottawa Senators in the first round and the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round.
“Ever since I’ve been here, I felt like it was a seamless fit and I’ve wanted to stay here,” Jankowski said. “My agent and the team have been talking for a little bit of time. For it to get all wrapped up in the middle of the playoffs here, it was nice to get it done.”
Jankowski could have become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
“Mark has been an excellent fit for our organization throughout his time here,” Carolina general manager Eric Tulsky said. “He’s proven he can contribute in different ways, and we are glad he’s chosen to remain with the organization.”
A first-round pick (No. 21) by the Calgary Flames in the 2012 NHL Draft, Jankowski has 145 points (79 goals, 66 assists) in 482 regular-season games with the Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Sabres, Nashville Predators and Hurricanes, and four points (one goal, three assists) in 31 playoff games.
“It definitely feels like all my hard work has been rewarded a little bit, but you definitely don’t want to get complacent,” Jankowski said. “I’ve been through a lot, I’ve seen a lot of organizations. I’ve been up and I’ve been down. I think that’s something I can always carry with me, is never get complacent. Just keep pushing forward, keep working, keep your foot on the gas.”
NHL.com independent correspondent Kurt Dusterberg contributed to this report
