Hurricanes open free agency by giving Stalberg 1-year deal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Viktor Stalberg to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million.

General manager Ron Francis announced the Swede's signing Friday, about 90 minutes after the NHL's free agency period started.

The 30-year-old Stalberg had nine goals and 11 assists in 75 games with the New York Rangers last season.

Francis called the 6-foot-3, 209-pound Stalberg ''another big strong player who can skate'' and says ''adding size to our forward corps was a priority this offseason.''