The positive momentum has yet to stop for the Carolina Hurricanes this offseason. After trading for and extending Jordan Staal, signing Alexander Semin to a no-risk one-year contract, GM Jim Rutherford announced the team had come to terms with former Calder Trophy winner Jeff Skinner on a six-years, $34.35 million deal. Skinner has one year left on his entry level contract, after which he will earn $4.35 million in 2013-14, and $6 million in each of the last five seasons of the deal. The 20-year-old Skinner was named the league’s top rookie in 2010-11 after a fantastic rookie season that saw him net 31 goals and 63 points. Last season he struggled with a concussion, but still managed 20 goals in 64 games. He has the look of a player that will be a consistent 35-40-75 player for the next dozen years or so. In relation to his peers, Skinner’s deal is very fair. Here are some other contracts of other players fresh off of their entry level contract: - John Tavares, six-years, $5.5 million - Phil Kessel, five-years, $5.4 million - Bobby Ryan, five-years, $5.1 million - Jonathan Toews, five-years, $6.3 million - Patrick Kane, five-years, $6.3 million Skinner’s game is more shooter than playmaker, so he probably is more in the Kessel/Ryan camp than the Tavares camp, so good on he and his agent for netting a higher average salary than his peers. Additionally, Skinner will be searching for a new contract when he is 27-years-old, poised for a bigger and maybe longer contract (depending on the next CBA). At the same time, getting a perennial All-Star to commit for six years at less than $6 million annually is a job well done by Rutherford and company. Carolina has locked in a very nice core of offensive threats as they look to get back into the playoff picture and compete for a Stanley Cup, Buying out three years of Skinner’s free agency is a big bonus, as he is the type of player who could earn more than $6 million or $7 million on the open market. Grade for Skinner and Carolina: a solid A for both. Nick is RealGM’s NHL Feature Writer. You can reach him by email Nick.obergan@realgm.com or on twitter @NolanObergan