Carolina Hurricanes center and captain Eric Staal has been traded to Rangersin exchange for two second round picks and prospect Aleksi Saarela, with Carolina retaining 50% of his contract.
Staal has signed his NMC/NTC waiver to go to NYR.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 28, 2016
Eric Staal Traded to New York
Staal, who has been linked with a possible move from Carolina for quite some time now, is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason. Staal has played 63 games for the Hurricanes this season and currently has 10 goals and 23 assists, which will surely be welcome numbers for his new club. The only NHL team Staal had suited up for in his career so far was Carolina, where he played 909 games and amassed an impressive 775 career points.
Staal is the prototypical big center that will fit in well in New York, standing at 6’4″ and weighing in at around 205 pounds. Also, his impressive ability to win face-offs will be greatly appreciated as well, as he places third among Hurricanes centers at a 53.7% clip. His size, face-off ability, and veteran leadership will be a big boost for the stretch run and playoffs.
Staal was making a base salary of $9.5 million per year with the Hurricanes, with a cap hit of $8.25 per year. He will likely be looking for another big deal this summer.
Staal is the oldest of the three Staal brothers in the NHL. He has spent his entire career with the Carolina Hurricanes after being drafted 2nd overall in the 2003 NHL draft. Staal won a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006, and an Olympic Gold Medal with Team Canada in 2010.
The Staal effect seemed to play a role, as brother Marc has played 600 games with the Blueshirts.
We will have more details on this trade as it develops. Follow @LastWordonPuck and Lastwordonsports.com for all of your NHL trade deadline news and analysis.
Main Photo Credit: RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 06: Eric Staal #12 of the Carolina Hurricanes during play against the Philadelphia Flyers at PNC Arena on October 6, 2013 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 2-1. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
