Hurricanes Add Organizational Depth

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Much of the heavy lifting Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Ron Francis plans do this offseason likely will come later this summer. In the meantime, there were light organizational moves to release Friday and an international scouting trip to make Sunday.

Francis and members of the front office reportedly attended Sunday’s 2017 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship in Poprad, Slovakia. Francis witnessed  Team USA upend Team Finland, 4-2, to earn its seventh gold medal over the past nine years at the event. Joel Farabee was named U.S. Player of the Game.

Carolina Hurricanes Sign 2

The Hurricanes on Friday announced the signings of two depth pieces, rookie forward Steven Lorentz and defenseman Klas Dahlbeck. Lorentz signed a 3-year, entry-level contract and Dahlbeck agreed to a 1-year, $850,000 deal. Along with a physical presence, Dahlbeck’s signing provides additional flexibility as it offers Francis an opportunity to expose the third-pairing defenseman in the upcoming NHL expansion draft, according to The News & Observer. Since he has appeared in 137 career NHL games, his is eligible for the draft.

A 2015 seventh-round draft pick, Lorentz will earn $650,000 in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and $700,000 in 2019-20 at the NHL level. In the AHL, he will earn $60,000, according to a press release.

Likely ticketed for Charlotte of the AHL next season, Lorentz, 21, scored a career-best 29 goals for Peterborough of the OHL during the regular season. Listed at 6’4″, 201 pounds, Lorentz entered the weekend as the OHL’s No. 4-ranked postseason scorer, collecting nine points.

An alternate captain, Lorentz tied for second in team scoring with 32 assists and 61 points, also career-highs. He helped lead the Petes to the best regular season record in the Eastern Conference and is a finalist for the Leo Lalonde Trophy for the OHL’s top overage player.

“Steven took a big step forward this season and earned an opportunity to continue his development with our organization,” said Francis, who also serves as executive vice president.

The Petes dropped the first two third-round series matches against the Mississauga Steelheads at home. Game 3 is Monday night at Mississauga.

Physical Presence

Retaining Dahlbeck’s versatility made sense for the Hurricanes. His physical play contrasts to the core of the team’s top young defensemen, including offensive-minded Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes also are building their next generation of defenders around Jaccob Slavin and Brett Pesce.

Dahlbeck joined the Hurricanes after being claimed off waivers last October. He split time last season with the Hurricanes and Charlotte (six games). He appeared in 43 NHL games and averaged 13:53 of ice time. The 25-year-old blueliner collected two goals and six points. He also had 30 penalty minutes and had a rating of minus-12.

The three-year veteran also dressed for the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes. In his lone full NHL season, Dahlbeck appeared in 71 games for the Coyotes during 2015-16. He totaled career highs in assists (6) and points (8), but did not last long the next fall before being released.

Entering 2017-18, Dahlbeck likely will vie for a role as a fifth or sixth defenseman. That is if he is not selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft.