Jordan Staal: 'It's definitely different not having (Eric) around'

It was a nice idea that didn't pan out in the end.

Back in 2012, the Carolina Hurricanes traded for Jordan Staal with a view to teaming him up with brother Eric Staal in hopes of getting Carolina back to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Now only Jordan remains, with Eric having been traded to New York prior to the 2016 trade deadline and subsequently signing with the Minnesota Wild as a free agent this summer.

Things just aren't the same, Jordan admitted as training camp gets set to open.

"I miss having (Eric) here," he said, according to Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer. "It’s definitely different not having him around. (But) it is what is. Obviously it has been a ... while now, knowing he wouldn’t come back. It’s definitely different."

Jordan remains under contract through to the end of the 2022-23 season, and doesn't see his on-ice role changing much now that his brother is gone.

"I don’t think my role is going to change a whole lot as to what it was last year," he said. "I think I’m going to be playing the same kind of minutes, the same style and with the same linemates, so it doesn’t really change for me."

It is possible he'll be asked to fill the captaincy left vacant by Eric Staal's departure, though. While he doesn't seem to be pining for the gig, he's open to stepping up as one of the veteran members of the team.

"Obviously when you lose someone like that there’s going to be holes," he said. "Apparently I’m one of the older ones. It kind of happens that way sometimes, some of the older guys take more control of the room. When you lose a leader like that, it’s an opportunity to show how you lead as well."

Jordan ranked second on the Hurricanes in points last season with 48 in 82 games.