Hurricanes Sign Michal Cajkovsky

Michal Cajkovsky’s tryout with Carolina proved to be successful as the team announced that they’ve signed the defenseman to a one-year, entry-level contract.  The deal will pay the league minimum of $650K at the NHL level and $70K (the maximum on an ELC) at the minor league level.

The 26-year-old spent last season with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg of the KHL, recording 19 points in 43 regular season games while pitching in with a pair of assists in four postseason contests.  He also did well in international play, landing a spot on Slovakia’s Olympic team as well as their entry at the World Championships which likely got him on Carolina’s radar.

This won’t be Cajkovsky’s first time playing in North America, however.  He spent three years in the OHL with Kingston and Ottawa before spending two seasons in the minors, suiting up primarily in the ECHL before signing in the Czech Republic in 2015.

Cajkovsky will continue to push for a spot on Carolina’s roster where he would likely slot in as a reserve defender.  If he fails to do so, he’ll be able to be assigned to their AHL affiliate in Charlotte despite being 26 since he is on his entry-level pact.  As he’ll turn 27 in May. he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in July so a strong showing could put him in line for a nice raise one year from now.