Hurricanes' Derek Stepan: Pens one-year deal

Stepan (shoulder) signed a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the Hurricanes on Saturday.

The 31-year-old center has been in a noticeable decline over the last three years, posting new career-low point totals in that span. Stepan bottomed out in 2020-21 with just a goal and five assists in 20 games for the Senators. The Hurricanes hope that he'll bounce back closer to his previous 50-point form, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to play on Opening Night as he works his way back from shoulder surgery that ended his previous season early.