Jalen Chatfield has signed a new contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. He is staying put for three years and will have an AAV of $3 million per season. Thats a tremendous deal for him and the Hurricanes.
Jalen Chatfield Signed to New Deal
After a few years stepping up his game, Jalen Chatfield has certainly earned this new deal. The Michigan native signed as an undrafted free agent originally with the Vancouver Canucks in 2017. After playing a few seasons mostly in the AHL, the Carolina Hurricanes signed Chatfield to a one-year deal in 2021. This was followed by a two-year deal the next year as Chatfield showed his value as a strong bottom-pairing defenceman.
His best statistical season came this past season as he put up eight goals and 14 assists in 72 games. But his strength really comes in his two-way play. Mostly pairing with Dmitry Orlov this season, they were analytically very strong. Their expected goals against per 60 minutes of 1.88 was the best for any Hurricanes defensive pairing playing 100 minutes or more this season. He can play physical and has very fast straightaway speed. This allows him to jump up in the play but also get back to defend in his own end when doing so.
What This Means
At 28 years old, Chatfield has paid his dues and worked his way up to this deal. He did not let the disappointment of going undrafted or starting his NHL career in the minors, stop him from working his way into a mainstay blueliner. Sure, he isn’t going to be knocking on the Norris Trophy door, but he provides immense value to the team. He can play up in the defensive group as well as solidifying the team’s depth. To get this contract takes one thing off his mind.
Every team wants and needs guys like Chatfield. And this team is getting exactly the guy mentioned above. A two-way, hard-working defenceman who can chip in a little offensively and shut it down defensively. This is a good lower-profile signing.
Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
