Justin Williams signs with Hurricanes, rejoining team he won '06 title with
Right winger Justin Williams has signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, agreeing to a two-year deal with the team he won a Stanley Cup title with more than a decade ago.
Williams, a key member of Carolina's 2006 Stanley Cup champion team, will make $5 million this season and $4 million in 2018-19.
"We said that we needed goal scoring and veteran leadership, and Justin will bring us both," general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. "He believes in what we are doing here and is returning to Raleigh to help the Hurricanes take the next step."
The Hurricanes also signed free-agent forward Josh Jooris to a one-year, $775,000 contract, according to Francis.
Williams earned his moniker "Mr. Game 7" by scoring the most points in Game 7s (14) in NHL history, though he and the Washington Capitals were shut out in the second round this season during a 2-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins that eliminated the Presidents' Trophy winners. He has come up big in Game 6s too, with 15 career points (seven goals, eight assists).
Williams signed with the Capitals in the 2015 offseason after winning two Stanley Cups and the 2014 Conn Smythe Trophy with the Kings over seven seasons in Los Angeles.
"You have to go through trying years and failure before you get to your goal. ... It's time to climb the ladder and get relevant," Williams said. "I really like this team. I like where it's going, and I think you can ask anyone within the NHL. ... They are a tough, tough team to play against, and I experienced that playing for Washington, and I want to help in any way I can to get this team to where it should be."
He won the title with the Hurricanes in 2006 after starting his career with the Philadelphia Flyers as a 2000 first-round pick.
Jooris, 26, had four goals and eight assists in 54 games while splitting the season between the Arizona Coyotes and New York Rangers.
The Hurricanes have the NHL's longest active playoff drought at eight years. Their only postseason appearance since winning the Cup came in 2009.
The Hurricanes also handed out one-year, two-way deals to three lower-tier free agents: Goalie Jeremy Smith and minor-league defensemen Brenden Kichton and Dennis Robertson.
Smith will make $750,000 in the NHL or $225,000 in the minors. He played in 10 games last season with Colorado, going 1-6-1 with a 3.54 GAA. Kichton will make $700,000 with the Hurricanes or $235,000 in the minors. Robertson's salary will be $650,000 in the NHL or $100,000 in the AHL. Neither player skated in the NHL last season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
