RALEIGH, NC - The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to terms with unrestricted free-agent forward Ryan Bayda and forward/defenseman Wade Brookbank, as well as restricted free-agent defenseman Tim Conboy, the team announced Tuesday afternoon. Bayda’s and Brookbank’s one-year deals will pay them each $475,000 in 2008-09, while Conboy’s two-year deal will pay him $475,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the minor-league level next season, and $500,000 at the NHL level in 2009-10.

Ryan, Wade and Tim were important players for the Hurricanes in the second half of last season,” said Francis. “At this point in their careers, they have each earned NHL contracts and a spot on the Hurricanes’ roster.”

Bayda, 27, completed his fourth NHL season with the Hurricanes in 2007-08, scoring three goals and earning three assists (6 points) in 31 games. The forward has played in 109 career NHL games, totaling 11 goals and 17 assists (28 points). He turned professional in 2001-02 following his junior season at the University of North Dakota, joining the Carolina organization that drafted him in the third round, 80th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Brookbank, 30, joined the Hurricanes organization during the 2007 off-season as a free agent, and scored one goal, earned one assist and totaled 76 penalty minutes in 32 NHL games following his late-December recall from Albany. Brookbank has scored five goals, earned three assists (8 points) and totaled 305 penalty minutes in 100 career NHL regular-season games with Nashville, Vancouver, Boston and Carolina.

Conboy, 26, completed his first season with the Hurricanes in 2007-08, making his NHL debut on Jan. 12 against Colorado, and posted five assists and 60 penalty minutes in 19 NHL games.