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Hurricanes, Joakim Nordstrom agree to 2-year, $2.55M extension

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Joakim Nordstrom and the Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension.

The team also said Friday that it reached a deal with defenseman Jake Chelios on a one-year, two-way contract.

Nordstrom had 10 goals and 14 assists in 71 games this season for the Hurricanes, who acquired him in September in a trade with Chicago.

The forward will make $1.25 million this season and $1.3 million in 2017-18. He would have been a restricted free agent this summer.

"Joakim took a major step forward in his career last season," said Ron Francis, the Hurricanes' executive vice president and GM. "We expect him to continue to grow as both a player and a leader on our team."

Chelios is the son of Hall of Famer Chris Chelios. He led the Hurricanes' minor league team in Charlotte with 73 games played and had seven goals and 24 assists.

He will make $575,000 at the NHL level or $70,000 in the minors in 2016-17.

"Jake was a steady presence for Charlotte last season in his first full season playing defense," Francis said. "He showed that he can contribute offensively and, at 25, he fits in well with our organization's young defensemen."