Brendan Lemieux Inks Extension With The Carolina Hurricanes

Of all the gambles Hurricanes GM Don Waddell took at the beginning of the season, it appears forward Brendan Lemieux has been the most productive and longest lasting for the Canes. Michael Bunting played more games, and was more productive for the Hurricanes. He is in Pittsburg now. Tony DeAngelo also has more games and more productive numbers, but Waddell had all but shipped him to Toronto for a draft pick before the trade deadline. And there does not appear to be an extension in the works the defensemen either.

Today the forward signed a one-year, $775,000 contract extension that will ensure he is in Raleigh at least through 2024-25 NHL season.

In 25 games with the Hurricanes Lemieux has registered just two goals and a single assist and is -1 for the year. But Lemieux's grit has paid off in full. Including a 10 minute misconduct for fighting on February 8th, he has racked up a team leading 55 minutes for a 2.2 minute average per game. That tally puts him 63rd in the league, tied with Bunting, but 2nd most of the players with fewer than 30 games.

With the trade deadline addition of fellow leftie Jake Guentzel, it is possible Lemiuex will be platooned with Guentzel depending on the needs of the Hurricanes for the remainder of the season. Guentzel certainly has the production, but perhaps not the level of grit Brandon Lemieux has shown while in Carolina and through out his his career.