Earlier today, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated that the Carolina Hurricanes were closing in on a contract with free-agent defenseman Sean Walker. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun confirms the news by reporting Walker has signed a five-year, $18MM contract with the Hurricanes.
A lot has changed for Walker over the past 12 months. After being part of a salary dump to the Flyers, the 29-year-old turned things around with his new team. He picked up 22 points in 63 games with Philadelphia while logging nearly 20 minutes a night. As a result, he was one of the best rental defensemen available, resulting in the Flyers picking up a first-round pick from Colorado (along with Ryan Johansen) in exchange for Walker’s services at the trade deadline.
With the Avs, Walker wasn’t counted on to play as high up the lineup although he still averaged nearly 18 minutes a game while picking up four goals and three assists in 18 games down the stretch. However, he was held off the scoresheet in 11 playoff appearances, ending his campaign on somewhat of a lower note.
Even so, Walker was one of the better right-shot defenders on the open market this summer, helping secure him a raise of nearly $1MM per season along with the longest contract of his career. That’s a pretty good outcome for someone who was effectively moved for salary purposes just a year ago.
With Brett Pesce moving on to New Jersey in free agency earlier today, Walker will have a chance to step in and play a big role next season, perhaps a bigger one than he had last season even. And with Brent Burns only having one year left on his contract, Walker could be their top right-shot option this time next summer. If he can play at a similar level with the extra responsibilities, this could wind up being one of the better-value contracts handed out today.
There it is. Nice.