Heading towards the start of free agency, the Hurricanes have agreed to terms with defenseman Trevor Carrick.

Carrick, 22, has been a mainstay on the Charlotte blue line through the first three years of his pro career, totaling 90 points (20g, 70a) in 203 AHL games. The young defenseman saw his offensive numbers drop a bit this past season, tallying 16 points in 57 games after putting his name into the franchise record book with 32 and 42 points in his first two campaigns, respectively. But despite the lower point total, Carrick remained a steady force on the Checkers’ back end last season, growing his all-around game.

“I thought I played more solid defensively and was harder to play against,” said Carrick during his exit interview. “My plus-minus was in the plus, unlike the last couple of years, so there were a couple of positives to take away.”

The deal, Carrick’s first outside of his entry-level contract, is of the two-way variety, opening the door for the Checkers’ alternate captain to return to Charlotte next season should he not make the NHL club out of camp.