Hurricanes keep LW Chad LaRose with 2-year, $3.4 million contract

LaRose re-signs with Hurricanes for 2 years

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes locked up another of their free agents Thursday, re-signing forward Chad LaRose to a two-year deal.

LaRose, 27, will make $1.5 million this upcoming season and $1.9 million in 2010-11. He made $875,000 last season — by far his best in the NHL.

“Chad has grown into a key player for our franchise,” general manager Jim Rutherford said. “He had his best year last season and is an important penalty killer and popular player in our locker room and with our fans.”

LaRose, a one-time undrafted free agent, had career highs of 81 games played, 19 goals and 31 points while helping the Hurricanes reach the Eastern Conference finals.

He briefly tested the free agent market but ultimately became the third high-profile forward to re-sign with Carolina this week, following Erik Cole and Jussi Jokinen, who also agreed to two-year deals to stay in Raleigh.