RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes biggest splash of the off-season so far was the signing of Calvin De Haan to add to an already stacked Blue Line.

De Haan signed a 4-year, $18.2 million contract with Carolina back on July 3. He joins the likes of Jaccob Slavin, Justin Faulk, Brett Pesce and Dougie Hamilton forming a core of defensemen that could be considered the best in the NHL.

It was one of the main reasons why De Haan decided to join the Canes instead of signing one of the other lucrative offers available to him. He also wants to be a part of the culture that ends a nine-year streak of missing the playoffs.

"I like the direction the team is going," said De Haan on Tuesday. "I've said this before that the Hurricanes over the past few years, during my time in the NHL, I think they've underachieved and I want to be a part of the solution to get this team into the playoffs. I like where Rod's [Brind'amour] head is at and the way he wants to move forward with his coaching style."

De Haan missed the final 49 games of 2018 due to a shoulder injury but he set career highs in points, goals and assists the year prior.