RALEIGH, N.C. – Eric Tulsky, General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed defenseman Joel Nystrom to a four-year, $4.9 million contract extension through the 2029-30 season.
“Joel stepped into our lineup early in the season and has proven that he belongs in the NHL,” said Tulsky. “He fits our style of play well and we are excited to watch his continued development in Carolina.”
Nystrom, 23, made his NHL debut on Oct. 23 at Colorado and has totaled four assists and a plus-2 rating in 23 games played for the Hurricanes this season. He recorded his first NHL point with an assist on Nov. 8 vs. Buffalo, and has also appeared in three AHL games this season with Chicago, registering one assist and a plus-2 rating. The Karlstad, Sweden, native is in his first full season in North America, after scoring 25 goals and earning 61 assists (86 points) in 221 Swedish Hockey League (SHL) games during five seasons with Färjestad BK. He ranked first among Färjestad defensemen during the 2024-25 season in assists (21), tied for first in points (27) and second in goals (6) in 51 games played. Nystrom (5’11”, 178 lbs.) was selected by Carolina in the seventh round, 219th overall, of the 2021 NHL draft.
13 comments
lowest risk contract ever, great deal
Incredibly well-deserved. He has more than done his job and been so consistent
Great news. What a hit for the 7th round
Love this deal, such low risk and he’s been a stud
Score another for our euro scouting group
Trade bait contract
Yay!!! He’s been awesome! Kinda Slavin light rn, but could definitely be Slavin esque in coming years!
The conspiracy theorist in me also wonders what this might mean moving pieces in trades though.
Kid deserves it, what a gamer
Feel like this is a ” we’re not making the forsling mistake again” signing. I’m happy with it, dude has played exceptionally well in what’s known to be a hard system to learn and he’s only going to grow more comfortable, but it feels like it’s insurance we don’t get burned again.
Elite value contract, he’s shown that he can be a guy that’s somewhere between a number 4 and number 6 D-man, would have been a great value in the flatter cap era but is even better in a rising cap environment. I could see him having a similar arc to Chatfield as he’s strong in his own zone and makes the right play in the Canes system in all three zones even if he isn’t a flashy offensive point producer. Have to think that there’s a chance that a veteran and/or several prospects get moved this off-season or maybe even at the deadline if the blueline is much healthier.
It has been telling that he’s (mostly) played over Reilly. Could it be they’re just trying to develop him or is he actually already better than Reilly?
I’m in love with this!
He has been SO impressive since basically his first shift on the ice. It’s very exciting to see us lock him up to an extension! Very curious what this may mean in terms of potential trade pieces moving forward.