The Carolina Hurricanes have signed center Patrick O'Sullivan to a one-year, two-way contract. The Hurricanes said the deal will pay O'Sullivan $600,000 on the NHL level or $105,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level during the 2010-11 season.
"Patrick had a little bit of an off year with Edmonton last season, but is still young and very skilled," Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford said. "He scored 20 goals just a few seasons ago, and has the ability to reach that mark again. Patrick will be in competition for a spot on our NHL roster during training camp."
O'Sullivan, 25, scored 11 goals and earned 23 assists in 73 games for Edmonton in 2009-10, ranking fifth among Oilers in scoring and tied for fifth in assists. He was tied for first on the team in game-winning goals (3) and connected on four of 11 shootout attempts.
Though born in Toronto, O'Sullivan spent the first eight years of his life in Winston-Salem, NC, and began playing hockey in the Tar Heel State. Drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the second round, 56th overall, in the 2003 Entry Draft, he has totaled 54 goals and 95 assists (149 points) in 280 career NHL games with Los Angeles and Edmonton. The Oilers originally acquired O'Sullivan as part of the three-team trade in which the Hurricanes acquired Erik Cole from Edmonton.