The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have signed forward Brendan Lemieux to a one-year, $775,000 contract extension.
Lemieux, 27, has two goals and three points in 25 games this season, but he's not on the roster to score.
He's a physical deterrent that isn't afraid to throw some bombs.
"It's been an up and down year, but I'm pretty comfortable now," Lemieux told The Hockey News. "We've found a rhythm as a team and we're getting better. I know in my position, when you're playing on the fourth line and that's where I'm going to be, that there will be different linemates all the time and there won't be a lot of consistency and I may be the one coming in and out.
"I just try to take it day-by-day and game-by-game and continue to grow my game and really dial in our system and the details of our game. Try to execute my game within it and try to find a way to be effective, physical and hard to play against within our structure."
He's been in three fights this season and he hasn't been a liability in his limited minutes (Lemieux has a 54.26 CF% this season) which is perhaps the biggest positive.
“Brendan has brought an element of toughness to our lineup,” said Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell. “He understands his role with our club, and we’re glad to keep him in Raleigh for another season.”
Lemieux has been very mature and accepting of his role on the team and it's valuable to have a guy like that who understands he may not play a lot.
"I try to be not about me, but about we," Lemieux said "Every day come in and find a way get it done. Whether you're hurting or tired or hungover, whatever it may be in the trials and tribulations of everyday life, just coming in and doing your job everyday no matter what and working hard and trying to get better every day. That's what I try to do and I think that's part of the reason why I've stuck around. Just work hard and try to do my best to help the team win. I'm willing to do whatever is asked of me."