RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes signed right wing Chad
LaRose to a two-year contract on Sunday.

"Chad had a good rookie season for us and was a big part of our 'grind line,' along with Kevyn and Craig Adams," said Jim Rutherford, the general manager of the Stanley Cup champions. "He is a player who has proven to be valuable at every level that he's played, whether it's as a scorer or a gritty player."

LaRose, 23, will earn $450,000 in 2006-07 and $500,000 in 2007-08. He played in 49 of Carolina's final 56 regular-season games, posting one goal and 12 assists.

During the postseason, LaRose played in 21 of 25 games. He recorded one assist while averaging 8:57 of ice time per game.

Carolina has been busy since the NHL's free-agent signing period began Saturday.

On the first day, the Hurricanes re-signed 21-year-old center Eric Staal to a three-year, $13.5 million contract.

The deal, announced within an hour of Staal becoming a restricted free agent, will pay him $4 million in 2006-07, $4.5 million in 2007-08 and $5 million in 2008-09. It was the biggest of three signings by the Hurricanes on Saturday, with the team also re-signing defenseman Mike Commodore and signing free-agent goaltender John Grahame to two-year deals.

Backup goalie Martin Gerber left Carolina, however, agreeing to a contract with the Ottawa Senators.
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