Monday evening, the Carolina Hurricanes announced that veteran forward Jordan Staal had been placed on the injured reserve list after being diagnosed with a concussion. Staal was injured after taking a stick to the head and would go on to leave the Hurricanes game against the the Florida Panthers on Sunday. Overnight, Staal underwent evaluation where he would then be diagnosed with the concussion.
Jordan Staal suffered a concussion in the Panthers game, GM Ron Francis says. No time frame on his return, Francis says.
— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) November 28, 2016
Staal placed on injured reserve, Di Giuseppe recalled.
— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) November 28, 2016
Carolina Hurricanes Place Jordan Staal on IR
Staal, who has scored five goals and has added four assists in 21 games played for the Canes, has no timetable for return. Based on the severity of the concussion, which has yet to be released, this recovery process could last anywhere from a couple of weeks, to several months. But since he has been placed on injured reserve and labeled “out indefinitely, it is safe to say Jordan Staal will not be back anytime soon.
To fill the vacancy of the Hurricanes forward lineup, the team called up Phil Di Giueseppe from the Hurricanes American Hockey League Affiliate- the Charlotte Checkers. Di Giuseppe, the Hurricanes 2nd round (38th overall) pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, has two goals and five assists in eight games played this season for the Checkers.
Staal has been good thus far for the Hurricanes (9-8-4), having split time with Victor Rask as the top line center. His five goals this season ties him for third place on the team, while his 60% faceoff win rate leads the team, and pots him in fourth place in the entire National Hockey League, putting him behind Anaheim Ducks Antoine Vermette, Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews, and Washington Capitals Jay Beagle. Staal will missat least the next four games for the Canes, and will be eligible to come off of injured reserve next Monday, that is, if he is cleared to play.
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