TORONTO - If anyone can understand the difficult spot Eric Staal is in, it's probably his Carolina Hurricanes teammate - and younger brother - Jordan.
In the summer of 2012, Jordan Staal signed a 10-year, $60-million contract with Carolina. He was reportedly offered a similar deal to stay with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but was traded after turning it down. The lure of playing alongside Eric was too good to pass up.
Now four seasons into playing together as teammates, Eric’s name is front and center as the Feb. 29 trade deadline approaches. Although it's entirely Eric’s choice if he wants to stay or go, the club's recent success complicates matters a little bit.
Playoffs, or the future?
Carolina is 4-2-2 in its last eight games heading into Thursday night’s matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Staal scored his first goal in 17 games in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. His production has dipped, his 32 points far below what's expected of a No. 1 center. But at times he shows flashes of the player he used to be.
The Hurricanes' recent run has the team in the thick of the wild-card race. Only two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins in its push for the playoffs, trading Eric could send a message to the team that its goal is to win in the future, not today.
"It's obviously been a tough time for Eric and it is what it is," Jordan said. "It's a business and we want to make the playoffs. We're trying to push for that and that's been my goal."
Perception is key
Although trading Eric Staal could be a sign Carolina's looking to the future, an argument could be made that pulling the trigger on a deal won't do much damage to the team's playoff hopes. His 0.52 points per game this season is his lowest mark since his rookie year in 2003-04, when he had 31 points in 81 games. A change of scenery for No. 12 could be a win for both him and the team.
But Eric isn’t going it alone. His support system is better than most going through a similar situation. He has his brother by his side, who he can vent to and talk things out with, and that helps in keeping the speculation from becoming a distraction.
"It is a weird situation. Obviously we are close and we talk," Jordan said. "He’s been doing really well with it. He hasn't brought it into the room or anything like that. It's an awkward situation, but he's come to the rink, ready to work and ready to play everyday and that's all you can ask for."
Raleigh to Broadway?
It's up to Eric to decide if he wants to stay or go. Much like Jordan’s desire to leave Pittsburgh to play with his brother, Eric can decide he wants to play out the remainder of the season in Carolina - thanks to a no-movement clause in his contract, which expires this summer. There's also the substantial $8.25-million cap hit that any interested team would have to absorb - and many contending teams are tight up against the cap. Trading for Eric has to be worth it. And only one team comes to mind: The New York Rangers.
With family an X-factor in his decision-making process, there exists an opportunity for Eric to play with another Staal brother - Marc, who anchors the blue line in Manhattan. And the Rangers' chances at a Stanley Cup are far greater than the Hurricanes'. It’s arguably the situation that makes the most sense.
Other contending teams aren’t likely to trade for Eric Staal, due to the cost and the fact he'll be taken out of his comfort zone. He's only known the Hurricanes. So it becomes Carolina or New York.
“Brothers stealing brothers, that’s not what I want to see,” said Jordan, with a smile.
