The Carolina Hurricanes announced that they have signed UFA defenseman Caleb Jones to a one-year contract.
Initially reported by Luke Fox of Sportsnet, Jones deal will just above league minimum at $775,000.
Jones, 26, most recently played on the Chicago Blackhawks with his brother Seth, but was not qualified by the team this offseason, thereby making him a UFA.
The left-handed defenseman had four goals and 16 points in 73 games last season.
Originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015, Jones has skated in 217 career games and has posted 14 goals and 50 points in those games.
Despite playing on one of the worst statistical teams ever last season, Jones actually had vastly improved underlying analytics.
Carolina's front office is always looking for savvy pickups and this looks to be a great depth piece that the team can use should trades or injuries occur to affect the current blueline.
However the reality is that the Hurricanes now have 9 defensemen under NHL contracts. Something has to give...
Here's the team's official press release:
-Canes Sign Jones To One-Year Contract
Defenseman has tallied 50 points in 217 career NHL games
RALEIGH, NC. - Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed defenseman Caleb Jones to a one-year, $775,000 contract.
"Caleb is a reliable, two-way defenseman," said Waddell. "His NHL experience will help boost our depth on defense."
Jones, 26, posted 16 points (4g, 12a) in 73 NHL games with Chicago last season, setting new career highs in games played, assists and points. The 6'1", 194-pound blueliner has registered 50 points (14g, 36a) in 217 career NHL games with Edmonton and Chicago. Jones skated in 125 AHL games with Bakersfield from 2016-19, recording 57 points (11g, 46a). He tallied 117 points (19g, 98a) in 135 WHL games with Portland from 2015-17 and led all WHL rookies in assists (45) in 2015-16. Jones also skated two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program from 2013-15 and represented the U.S. at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, winning a gold medal. The Arlington, Texas, native was drafted by the Oilers in the fourth round, 117th overall, of the 2015 NHL Draft. Jones' brother, Seth, is a defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks, and his father, Popeye, played 11 seasons in the NBA and is currently an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets.