WRALSportsFan
Canes Sign Cam Ward to 3-Year Contract
Jun 1, 2007
Raleigh, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes announced Thursday that the team has signed 2006 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Cam Ward to a three-year contract.
The contract will pay Ward $2 million in 2007-2008, $2.5 million in 2008-2009 and $3.5 million in 2009-2010, Presidetn and General Manager Jim Rutherford said.
"Cam is one of the cornerstones of our team moving forward," Rutherford said. "He has already built an impressive resume for himself at a young age, and we believe he is going to be one of the elite goaltenders in the National Hockey League for a long time."
Ward, 23, completed his second NHL season in 2006-2007, establishing career bests in games played (60), wins (30), goals-against average (2.93), save percentage (.897) and shutouts (2). He ranked tied for 15th among NHL netminders in wins (30) and tied for 13th in games played (60).
As a rookie in 2005-06, Ward earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL's playoff MVP after leading the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup championship.
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Most Recent Comments
Kane,
Hockey players don't have lucritive endorsements like NBA, NFL or MLB players. It just don't happen. The players pretty much get a salary. The Canes don't have a huge payroll like other teams (Detroit and the Rangers as examples). That was the whole idea behind the Lockout in 04-05 because they were trying to get a "cap" and the players didn't want one. The salary cap controls spending. Market size and revenues has lots to do with how high the cap ceiling can be for a team.
I really don't understand how it works but it seems like since the Hurricanes won the championship last year, they would have plenty of money to pay for these top players from endorsements or something. I don't know. Could someone please elaborate and explain this to me. Thanks.
Did the Canes lay off the black goalie they had several years ago?
NegroNelms
Kevin Weekes was picked up by the NY Rangers when the Canes chose not to sign him and is still with them.
Tacoma the Canes are in need of a 3rd line center and Drury and Gomez ain't gonna settle for that. Plus there is no way the payroll can handle that calibre of player.. right now.
aoakley336, I agree about Scotty Walker. He is a hard worker that I would love to see in a Canes uniform for a long time. But with nothing settled and signed at this point, I have my doubts he will be back.
Let's Go Canes!
Did the Canes lay off the black goalie they had several years ago?
Do the Canes even need another center? Seems like they are set in that postition. Gomez and Drury will go for 6 mil a year each, they wont come cheap.
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