Seasoned Defenseman Sean Walker Signs with the Hurricanes
The veteran defenseman Sean Walker demonstrated why he has developed into one of the most important defensemen in the game today after being moved to the Colorado Avalanche in the middle of last season. The six-year defenseman is well-known for his superb skating, precise passing accuracy, and high caliber of play while his team plays on the power play and penalty kill. Despite the Avalanche's elimination in the Western Conference Semifinals, Walker enhanced his resume throughout the season, as he made his first career entry into free agency this summer. Now, the Carolina Hurricanes have signed Walker to a five-year deal, worth $18 million.
After going undrafted, Walker, 29, signed a two-year entry-level deal with the Los Angeles Kings in 2018 to start his NHL career. Walker played for Bowling Green State University for four seasons as a college player before joining the NHL, where he collected 80 points, 58 assists, and 22 goals. In 2019, Walker achieved new career highs in goals with five, 19 assists, and 24 points, during his first full season with the Kings. After spending five seasons with the Kings, Walker joined the Philadelphia Flyers in a three-team deal last summer. The explosive defenseman would have success with the Flyers last season before being moved to the Avalanche. He finished with a new career-high of 10 goals with the Flyers and Avalanche combined, and he had his first season with a positive plus/minus rating at +9.
During last season, Walker ended with a plus/minus rating of +11 with 10 goals, 19 assists, and 29 points. With two points and three shots on goal in a multi-goal game against the Oilers on March 16th, Walker would have his finest game of the season. With Walker signed, the Hurricanes will have a player who can cover the back end within their own zone and chip in offensively when required as they go into the next season. Walker has the chance to significantly influence the success of the Hurricanes this season as he attempts to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career, even if he may not be the most costly addition.
