The Carolina Hurricanes announced that center Jordan Staal is out indefinitely with a concussion.
Jordan Staal Injured
Staal left the ice midway through the third period of the Canes game on Wednesday Night vs San Jose Sharks and didn’t return.
So far this season, Staal has scored five goals and six assists for 11 points to go along with 14 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 60 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 3.3 percent.
Over his 12 -year NHL career, Staal has played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes. He has 211 goals and 282 assists for 493 career points in 870 career games. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins second overall in the 2006 NHL draft.
What This Means for the Future
The loss of Staal is huge for the Hurricanes as Staal is their first line center and has exceptional Corsi numbers so far this season. Staal is also a veteran leader and one alternate captains for the Carolina Hurricanes. He brings a physical presence to the Canes top line as he’s second on the team in hits with 80. In the face-off circle is he over 56 % which leads the Canes. The Canes will have a tough task filling Staal’s spot while he is out. Victor Rask will most likely take Staal’s spot on the top line. The Hurricanes are currently in sixth in the Metropolitan with a record of 12-11-4.
The Canes have called up forward Saku Maenalanen from the AHL in case Micheal Ferland can’t play Friday as well. He is also suffering from a concussion. It will be interesting to see how the Canes are able to adjust with these two players out of the line-up. Expect the youngsters on the Canes to pick up the scoring and minutes during Staal’s absence.
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