Carolina Hurricanes agree to deals with D Alberts, pair of prospects

Hurricanes agree to deals with 3 players

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have added some needed size to their blue line.

The Eastern Conference finalist agreed to a two-year, $2.1 million deal with Andrew Alberts on Wednesday, bringing the 6-foot-5 defenseman over from Philadelphia. Alberts, 28, will earn $800,000 next year and $1.3 million in 2010-11.

He set career highs with the Flyers last year in games played (79), assists (12), points (13) and plus-minus rating (plus-6). He also led Flyers skaters with 157 hits and was third on the team with 133 blocked shots.

Carolina also announced one-year deals with forward Mike Angelidis and defenseman Zack Fitzgerald.

Angelidis will make $500,000 at the NHL level or $55,000 at the American Hockey League level, with the AHL amount guaranteed. Fitzgerald will make $500,000 in the NHL or $60,000 in the AHL, with $65,000 guaranteed.

The 24-year-old Angelidis had 15 goals in 67 games last year with Albany, Carolina’s AHL affiliate. The 24-year-old Fitzgerald played last season with Manitoba of the AHL, leading the team with 209 penalty minutes and ranking third among its defensemen with a plus-13 rating.