Last week, the Carolina Hurricanes reached a deal on an extension for forward Seth Jarvis.
The two sides agreed on an eight-year, $63.2 million deal that locks up one of the NHL's brightest blossoming stars.
On Wednesday, the Canes held a press conference with Jarvis and Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky. Here's what Jarvis had to say:
On if he always intended to sign a long-term deal: I don't really think a bridge deal was ever really – in my mind – really an option. I think this is where I wanted to be and I wanted to try my best to make it work. There could have been a different route we could have taken, but I'm more than happy that this is the way we went and I'm just super, super happy that I'm sitting here and not in my bedroom in Winnipeg anymore.
On the outlook for this year's team: I got to meet I think all of them or at least most of them today, and everyone's super nice. It was fun. I mean, for me personally, if you're a good person, that's the first thing I look for and I think that's what we brought in. I think we brought in a bunch of really good guys. So I don't see any kind of shake up in the chemistry or the drama in the room, which is kind of first and foremost the biggest thing. But we also have exceptional players. I mean, seeing [Jack] Roslovic skate today, he's someone that maybe flies on the radar a little bit. Unbelievable. We have [Eric] Robinson, who flies around the ice, [Sean] Walker, who's really good. So just seeing those guys... I think [William] Carrier is not here yet, but I know what he brings and what he'll bring to the team. So I'm excited just to see what we brought in. Obviously, we lost a few guys, but yeah. I think it'll be a different shape of our a team, but I think we're a team that'll still make some moves, make some damage, and I'm excited to see what happens later in the year.
On staying in Raleigh: I think it's just some form of comfortability that I have here. Just knowing kind of the guys especially, that's my biggest thing. All my friends on the team and everything, but also just in the community, being able to go out to eat and just being able to have a home now, at least for, hopefully, eight years and hopefully more after that. But just having that in the back of my mind just relieves a lot of stress.
On being locked up long-term along with potential linemates Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov: It's nice to have guys that you know are going to be here for a long time, but I don't think that's, frankly, what I'm focusing on. I think what I'm more excited for is the ability that we can play anywhere. We have guys who can move up and down the lineup and still be effective. I think we've seen it last year when I was playing with [Jordan Staal] and [Jordan Martinook], that we can be effective as a line. So just having that flexibility. We have all these guys that can flip flop. So I think that's what excites me most, but also having two of my best friends locked in here and [Jesperi Kotkaniemi] as well. KK is here, so I'm just really excited for that.
On being approached about the deferred payment contract structure: Yeah, they really had a tough time breaking it down for me. I had no idea what it meant. But like maybe two, three weeks ago, I think it kind of got brought up, and my agents just kind of checked in with, like the PA, just seeing how everything worked out. But when it came across to me, like I said, I had no idea what it meant, and then we kind of got right into it. They explained it to me a little bit more and it started to make more sense. I think it was just something that helped me, but also helped the team and that's more what we were looking for. Being able to build something around, not just me, but around here, around the team. To be able to have more space to bring in other guys.
On his expectations for himself with this new deal: Just not trying to be someone I'm not. I'm not trying to be Connor McDavid – obviously, it'd be nice, but I don't think I'm even able to do that. But I'm just trying to be the best version of myself. I'm not trying to change my game and play a completely different way. I want to keep playing hard. I'm going to keep putting in 1,000% effort. As I get older and as I learn the game more and I get more comfortable, obviously, stuff's going to change, but hopefully my offensive side grows and my defensive side grows. But it's just making sure I don't change the values I came in and earned this contract with and made this team with, which is all based off work ethic, compete and making sure I put my best foot forward every time I step on the ice.
On getting to play for Rod Brind'Amour for several more years: I'm pumped. I mean, who wouldn't be? He's been with me from the start and he's someone that I speak very highly of and think very highly of and someone that I'm just really lucky to be around every day and just pick his brain and learn different parts of the game and just different parts of life from him.
On how his shoulder is doing: Good. It's about as strong as I think I can get it. I'm feeling comfortable with it. I've been skating without [the brace] for a bit. Today was kind of the first day where I had more physical contact. Just playing, scrimmaging, battling, and it felt good. I haven't really done anything over summer to hurt it, which is always a positive. But, yeah, it's just about strengthening it, getting ready for the season, and kind of just taking it day by day. Just seeing how I feel and depending on what it feels like, adjusting from there. But I'm really proud of how much room and how much I've grown trying to just keep as healthy and keep as safe as I can.
On if he'll need to address it more seriously later down the road: I'm not a medical professional. I have no idea. Just keeping it strong and, yeah, just making sure I'm ready to go at all times.
On the relief he feels finally having a deal done: I think it's something that a lot of people don't realize can weigh on people. Definitely during the summer, I started going on walks to relieve stress, which was new. But yeah, it plays a big part. Just knowing that the organization wants me and that I want to be here and that I have a little sense of security, at least for a little while.
On what his his first purchase was or what he plans to be his first purchase now that he has the new deal: That's a fantastic question. I don't think I've bought anything yet. Maybe some new rims for my Tiguan, I don't know. Maybe tint the windows. Yeah, I don't know. I've been told to save money, so I'm listening to my financial person.
On if the jet ski in the team's social video was his: No, I wish. I'm looking for a cabin, though, in the near future. But no, that was not mine.
On if he's allowed to still ride a jet ski under his new contract: I hope there's not an implication [that I can't] in my contract. Me and my five buddies were at a friend's cabin and they texted me, that they needed a video, and we just kind of brainstormed that. I can't take all the credit. Me and my five buddies kind of came up with something funny, and that's kind of what we landed on.
In response to Eric Tulsky asking if he can at least wear a life jacket the next time he's out on a jet ski: I'm a fantastic swimmer.
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