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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 2921242" data-attributes="member: 2012">Hurricanes sign Staal to three-year dealTSN.ca Staff7/1/2006 1:34:17 PMOn a day when most NHL teams are looking for unrestricted free agent talent to put them over the top, the Carolina Hurricanes have locked up their homegrown foundation player.Sources tell TSN that Eric Staal has agreed to a new three-year contract with the defending Stanley Cup champions.Sources say the deal will pay him $4 million in the first year, $4.5 million in the second year and $5 million in the third year.Staal is coming out of his entry-level contract phase and was not permitted by CBA rules to sign a new contract until Noon et on July 1."Eric has developed into one of the premier scorers and playmakers in the National Hockey League," Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said. "He led our team in goals, assists and points last year, and he had a fantastic postseason, making big plays at key times."He is one of the centerpieces for the Hurricanes and we are glad to have him under contract for the next few seasons."Staal, 21, became the franchise's first player with 100 points since 1989-90 in just his second NHL season. He also led the league in postseason scoring with nine goals and 28 points in 21 games.The Thunder Bay, Ontario native was taken second overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.</blockquote>