"Joni Pitkanen won't be leaving the Carolina Hurricanes.

General manager Jim Rutherford announced Tuesday that the NHL team had signed the smooth-skating defenseman to a three-year contract worth $4.5 million a season.

The Hurricanes also reached an agreement Tuesday with versatile forward Patrick Dwyer, who was signed to a two-year deal.

But Rutherford, while pleased to keep Pitkanen and Dwyer in the Canes' fold, said he now is becoming pessimistic about re-signing forwards Erik Cole, Jussi Jokinen and Chad LaRose. The three veterans will become unrestricted free agents Friday if not signed, and Rutherford said it appears the financial gap may be too wide in each case.

"I'm very, very disappointed," Rutherford said Tuesday. "It does not look good."

Two years ago, Cole and LaRose tested free agency but quickly signed two-year contracts to stay with the Canes. Rutherford said that likely would not occur again.

"I don't think we will cross that bridge twice," he said. "We've made substantial offers."

Cole, 32, was paid $3 million this past season and LaRose and Jokinen $1.9 million each. Rutherford said he would not publicly discuss the financial figures being negotiated with the players."