Hurricanes sign playoff star Jussi Jokinen to 2-year, $3.4 million contract

Jokinen signs 2-year deal with Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes are keeping Jussi Jokinen, agreeing to a two-year deal with one of the stars of their recent playoff run.

The team said Monday that Jokinen’s new contract will pay him $1.5 million next season and $1.9 million in 2010-11. Jokinen could have become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday.

Jokinen developed a reputation for scoring clutch goals during the Hurricanes’ run to the Eastern Conference finals. The 26-year-old forward deflected a puck past goalie Martin Brodeur with his skate with 0.2 seconds remaining in Game 4 of the first round New Jersey and added the tying goal with 80 seconds left in Game 7 of that series.

Carolina acquired Jokinen from Tampa Bay in February.