Eric Staal News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

April 6

Montreal Gazette

"Eric Staal scored in a shootout to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 2-1 win over the Canadiens Thursday night at PNC Arena. Blake Geoffrion scored for the Habs in regulation, while Chad Larose replied for Carolina. Cam Ward made 30 saves in regulation for the Hurricanes, while Peter Budaj stopped 28 shots for the Canadiens. Making up for lost time: Geoffrion, who was a healthy scratch for six consecutive games last month, has seven shots on goal in his last four games and was rewarded when he opened the scoring at 4:32 of the second period. He picked up a rebound off a Michael Blunden shot, circled behind the net and beat Carolina goaltender Ward on a wraparound. Basic arithmetic: The"

'Refocused' Staal surges into game against Rangers

March 1

Raleigh News & Observer

"For the first time this season, Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes will be on the ice tonight with brother Marc Staal of the New York Rangers. The game should be intense. Eric Staal and the Canes are playing their best hockey of the season. Marc Staal and the Rangers sit atop the NHL's Eastern Conference and look the part of Stanley Cup contenders. But the game at the RBC Center also could be a finishing point of sorts for the brothers Staal."

Noted improvement with Staal, Hurricanes

January 21

Raleigh News & Observer

"The applause is coming now, even on shifts when Eric Staal doesn't score. The way the Carolina Hurricanes played Friday, after the way they and their captain have played for three weeks now, there's plenty to get excited about. The killer, unfortunately, is that this has all come too late to save Carolina's season, at least as far as the playoffs are concerned. The Hurricanes have effectively been eliminated from postseason contention since the day before Kirk Muller won his first game as coach of the Hurricanes in December. Still, when the Hurricanes play the way they did in Friday's 3-0 win over the Washington Capitals, there's no question their fans are seeing what they come hoping to"

Staal family tradition anything but good one

January 4

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"This is becoming something of a family tradition for the Staals. And not an entirely pleasant one. Jordan Staal , a Penguins center, made his 2010-11 debut in the Winter Classic Jan. 1, 2011, at Heinz Field after missing 39 games because of a foot infection and broken hand. A year and a day later, his brother, Marc , a New York Rangers defenseman, made his first appearance of 2011-12 in the Winter Classic Monday at Philadelphia, returning from a concussion. Their older brother, Eric , a center with Carolina, surely cannot like the trend that seems to be developing. At least for the moment, though, the family's focus is on Marc's return to work. "Obviously, I'm very excited to see him"

Ward takes hot hand against Leafs

December 30

Toronto Star

"With his star player coming out of a slump, getting on a scoring streak and starting to play much better, Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller took some heat the other night for benching him. That star player on the scoring streak was Cam Ward. Yes, the goalie is on a one-game scoring streak having scored against New Jersey on Boxing Day. Ward was credited with the goal when the Devils scored on their own net with the goalie pulled for the extra attacker. But Ward didn't play Tuesday against Pittsburgh. "I got abuse for sitting him while he was on a scoring streak," said Muller, laughing on Thursday after the Hurricanes' optional morning skate. "But he had a strong game against New Jersey, and the"

Staal scores winner in overtime as Hurricanes beat Leafs 4-3

December 30

Toronto Star

"Leave it to James Reimer to look on the bright side of an otherwise devastating loss — a 4-3 overtime decision to the Carolina Hurricanes in which the Maple Leafs blew a two-goal lead. "We ended up getting a point, a really valuable point because teams are so close," said Reimer. "It sucks we didn't win. But we still have a chance to go .500 on the road trip, not in a win-loss per se, but in points. If we win in Winnipeg, we get three out of six." So off the Leafs go to wintry Winnipeg, with a chance to close off this road trip, and the calendar year, on a winning note. It'll be a homecoming of sorts, for Reimer, the only player from Morweena, Man., about a two-hour drive from Winnipeg, to"

Staal catches fire in win over Leafs

December 30

Raleigh News & Observer

"It was just like old times for the Carolina Hurricanes, and certainly for Eric Staal. Staal had the RBC Center roaring in the third period Thursday, scoring a goal and then unleashing a mighty uppercut. But his second goal, in overtime, topped the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 and had the building really rumbling. It hasn't been the best of seasons for the Canes or for Staal, their captain. But their last home game in 2011 will be one to remember."

Staal's two goals help Canes beat Leafs in OT

December 30

Raleigh News & Observer

"Everyone sensed this kind of game was coming for Eric Staal. But when? That was the question. Staal helped spur a third-period comeback Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring a goal and then assisting on another to tie the score. The Canes captain then won it at 3:09 of overtime with a one-timer from the right circle. Pointless in six straight games and without a goal in his last nine, Staal finished with his eighth and ninth goals of the season, a three-point game and was named the game's first star. And one could almost hear a collective sigh of relief in the Canes' locker room after their third straight win at the RBC Center."

Staal deals with trade rumours, losing

December 29

Toronto Sun

"When Eric Staal steps onto the ice against the Maple Leafs at the RBC Center on Thursday, hordes of television viewers back in Canada will dream of what the gifted centre would look like in blue and white. They aren't alone. When rumblings out of Toronto prior to Christmas suggested a Staal-to-the-Leafs trade was in the works, the Carolina captain was besieged with inquires from friends and family from north of the border. They called. They e-mailed. They texted. All wanted to know the same thing. Were the reports true? Was he, in fact, the big centre the Leafs have so badly thirsted for ever since Mats Sundin left town? Standing in the Hurricanes' locker room on Wednesday, Staal chuckled"

Muller: Staal should not have to do it all

December 23

Raleigh News & Observer

"Carolina Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller wasn't overly concerned about goalie Cam Ward's meltdown at the bench two weeks ago in Winnipeg. Ward was showing his emotions, showing how much he cared about winning, Muller said at the time. But Muller said Thursday that team captain Eric Staal might have taken on too much of the blame Wednesday night when he said he was the one primarily responsible for the Canes' 4-3 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes."

Canes' Staal accepts blame for Phoenix loss

December 22

Raleigh News & Observer

"No one asked that Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal come out and address the media Wednesday night. But after the Canes' 4-3 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes at the RBC Center, a miserable game in which he was on the ice for three of the Coyotes' goals, Staal had something to say and asked to be heard. "I've got to be the best player on the ice on a night like tonight, and I wasn't," Staal said."

Staals remain as tight-knit as ever

December 3

Raleigh News & Observer

"Eric Staal's house in North Raleigh has been overflowing with Staal men this week. Eric's father, Henry, has been in town visiting all week. Then came the brothers. Marc Staal, a defenseman with the New York Rangers, was at the house Wednesday night and again Thursday. Jordan Staal, a center with the Pittsburgh Penguins, dropped by Friday for dinner. The Staals are a tight-knit family and the brothers are especially close. Eric, the captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, says nothing comes between them, even a hockey play last season that had a seismic effect within the NHL considering the two players involved. Marc suffered a concussion in the Feb. 22 game at the RBC Center after taking a"

Staal busts slump in big way

November 14

Raleigh News & Observer

"Having scored a goal, having pushed the Carolina Hurricanes back into the lead, Eric Staal was ready to celebrate. Staal sank low on his skates, loading up a big right uppercut. Thinking better of it, he rose up for a few light jabs instead. There still was hockey to be played, and a game to be won. Any celebrating - and was Staal ever ready to do that - would wait. The Canes did win Saturday, losing all of their 3-0 lead to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period but surging to a 5-3 victory. Staal's goal, with four minutes, 34 seconds remaining in the third period, was the winner. He also made a crisp pass off the boards to assist on Chad LaRose's late score that sealed it. "It was a"

Staal awakens as Canes beat Pens

November 13

Raleigh News & Observer

"When it was over Saturday, when the Carolina Hurricanes had beaten the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 and ended a troubling four-game losing streak, Tuomo Ruutu had a poignant point to make. "It's great to win," the Canes forward said, "but the one thing we must remember from this is how hard you have to play, how hard you have to work to win these games." This night, it took everything the Hurricanes had. It took two goals from Ruutu and a goal and two assists from a hard-charging Jeff Skinner. It took another big game in goal from Cam Ward, who had 37 saves and some super stops, and some brutally physical work all over the ice. Most of all, it took the captain. Eric Staal had not scored a goal"

Eric Staal's hit not sole reason for brother Marc's concussion

November 12

New York Post

"Apparently the chore of answering a series of questions this week both in New Jersey and in Manhattan about the Eric Staal hit that concussed his brother, Marc, in Raleigh on Feb. 22 became a bit too much to bear for both Carolina coach Paul Maurice and for Eric Staal himself. Because following the club's morning skate at the Garden preceding last night's 5-1 loss to the Rangers, both of the aforementioned men for the first time, and in strikingly similar terms, sought to distance the Hurricanes' captain from the injury to his younger brother that has sidelined the Rangers' alternate captain all season. "It was a clean hit and his brother came back and played," Maurice said, referring to"

Canes' Staal takes stick to face, still won't wear visor

November 1

Raleigh News & Observer

"When Eric Staal took a stick in the face Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Carolina Hurricanes captain suffered a chipped tooth and a cut on the bridge of his nose. The blade came close to hitting him in his right eye. Staal's near-miss again underscored an undeniable fact: playing hockey without a helmet visor often is risky business. Visors are not mandatory in the NHL, and Staal said he will not wear one. Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, in contrast, said he could not imagine playing without one."

Staal's start slow

October 25

Raleigh News & Observer

"Eric Staal is doing all he can to keep his mind clear, his concentration keen and his play consistently good. That said, it has been tough at times for the Carolina Hurricanes captain. Eight games into the season, Staal seemingly hasn't fully found his stride or gotten into a good rhythm for the Canes (3-3-2), who will host the Ottawa Senators (3-5-0) tonight. Staal has three goals, all on power plays, and one assist. His minus-10 rating is the lowest in the NHL. Regardless of the forwards placed on his line, Staal has not yet developed the same feel and chemistry he had last season when Erik Cole was on his right wing. Coach Paul Maurice has tried Jeff Skinner and Alexei Ponikarovsky on"

Who plays with Staal unanswered

September 28

Raleigh News & Observer

"The stated offseason priorities for Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford were a fourth-line center and a backup goalie. Tim Brent and Brian Boucher, respectively, look capable of answering those questions, but it's fair to ask whether the right questions are even being asked. Missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five years since winning the Stanley Cup cried out for bigger upgrades. The Hurricanes needed help on offense, where Erik Cole left and wasn't replaced, leaving Eric Staal with even less talent on his wings than usual. The Hurricanes needed help on defense, where Cam Ward was all too often left holding the back for breakdowns in front of him."

Canes' Staal has healed physically, mentally from last season's sting

August 30

Raleigh News & Observer

"It took Eric Staal longer than usual to recover from last season. The Carolina Hurricanes captain played through a painful groin injury down the stretch. That needed time to heal. There also was that big blow to Staal's psyche -- a 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the final game of the regular season. Getting that out of his system took time, too. Win that last game, at home, and the Canes would have been in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Instead, it led to another long offseason of wondering what might have been. "Obviously, it was a tough finish," Staal said Monday after an informal workout at Raleigh Center Ice. "You need to keep a little of that bitter taste, but also need to refresh"

Staal sits out practice

March 24

Raleigh News & Observer

"Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal has a lower-body injury and did not practice Wednesday, but coach Paul Maurice said he does not expect the All-Star center to miss a game. Staal left the ice in the third period of the Canes' 4-3 win Tuesday over the Ottawa Senators and did not return to the game. Maurice said Staal would not practice again today but should play in Friday's road game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. "We expect him to be fully ready to go," Maurice said Wednesday. The Hurricanes (34-29-10) face the Lightning both Friday at St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., and again Saturday at the RBC Center. And it may not be the worst time to be playing the Bolts. The Lighting"

Eric Staal leaves game with apparent injury

March 23

Raleigh News & Observer

"It was a scary game for the Carolina Hurricanes, and in more ways than one. The Ottawa Senators may be last in the NHL's Eastern Conference, but they came into Tuesday's game against the Canes loose, confident and ready to be the spoilers. The Sens then grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first period, forcing the Hurricanes to play catchup and causing some serious anxiety in the RBC Center. Then, after the Hurricanes rallied and grabbed a 4-2 lead in the third period, captain Eric Staal left the game with an apparent injury. But it all ended well for Carolina. The Hurricanes won 4-3, keeping pace with the Buffalo Sabres as the two teams hotly chase after a playoff berth. Chad LaRose had a pair of"

Staal works to find scoring touch

March 18

Raleigh News & Observer

"Eric Staal said he feels good, feels strong, feels he's competing as hard as he can for the Carolina Hurricanes. No, the team's captain said Thursday, he has not been worn down by a multitude of minutes, by being asked to do so much. No, he said, he's not pressing, not letting the frustration of the Canes' recent offensive woes adversely affect his play. Staal did slam his stick at the bench - once, twice, three times - during a 2-1 loss last week against the Washington Capitals. But that brief outburst, he said, was caused by his competitiveness, not mounting frustration."

Staal healthy; Canes add defenseman

March 1

Raleigh News & Observer

"When all was done Monday, Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford sat back and said, "We're real pleased with the way the day turned out." And why not? Eric Staal was at practice Monday and pronounced himself fit after it. The team captain missed Saturday's game against the Montreal Canadiens with a worrisome upper-body injury but said he planned to be in the lineup tonight against the Florida Panthers. "I feel good," Staal said. "I should be good to go." Rutherford was relieved about Staal, the Canes' All-Star center. He also was relieved a few hours later when Carolina obtained defenseman Bryan Allen from the Panthers in exchange for winger Sergei Samsonov - Carolina's only"

Canes weigh Staal's injury, possible trades

February 28

Raleigh News & Observer

"The Carolina Hurricanes have two priorities today: Eric Staal's health and potential trades. And in that order. Though today is the NHL trade deadline, and the Canes could be looking to add a defenseman, the biggest issue to be resolved is how well Staal has recovered from an upper-body injury suffered Friday in a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Staal, looking to take a shot, absorbed a big hit from the Pens' Matt Niskanen, did not play in the third period and did not make the trip to Montreal for Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Canadiens. General manager Jim Rutherford said Sunday that Staal was undergoing tests Sunday and today to determine if he can return to the lineup for"

Eric Staal lost as Canes power past Penguins

February 26

Raleigh News & Observer

"The Carolina Hurricanes, on their fourth and final try this season, at last got past the Pittsburgh Penguins and grabbed two big points with a 4-1 win at the RBC Center on Friday. The Canes ended a two-game mini-skid while the Sidney Crosby-less Penguins continued to slide with their fourth loss in a row. The Canes, however, lost center Eric Staal late in the second period with an upper-body injury. He didn't return. Staal, following through on a shot in the slot, was hit hard by recently acquired Pittsburgh defenseman Matt Niskanen. Staal, who earlier this week delivered a bit hit to his brother Marc Staal of the New York Rangers, stayed on the ice for moments before being led to the"

Staal's team routs Lidstrom's, 33-22, in NHL skills competition

January 30

Detroit Free Press

"Nicklas Lidstrom pledged to build his team back up in time for today's NHL All-Star Game. Team Staal gave the home crowd most of the thrills, beating Team Lidstrom, 33-22, in the NHL SuperSkills competition Saturday at the RBC Center. Team Lidstrom's only victory came in the skills challenge relay. "We're going to try to come out with a better effort," Lidstrom said. "You can tell all the players had fun out there, and we saw a lot of skill on both sides." The competition began with the fastest skater event, and Team Staal took a 3-0 lead before Team Lidstrom tied it. The rookies decided it, with Michael Grabner of the Islanders beating Taylor Hall of the Oilers, 14.238 seconds to 14.715."

Eric Staal selects all Canes All-Stars as teammates in draft

January 29

Raleigh News & Observer

"Eric Staal got Cam Ward. Staal got Jeff Skinner, and his brother, Marc Staal. All in all, it seemed like a big night for Team Staal as the first NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft was held at the Raleigh Convention Center and the two teams were selected for Sunday's All-Star Game at the RBC Center. "I like our team a lot," Staal said after the draft. "I think we got the guys we wanted. "I enjoyed it. It was pretty cool. I didn't know what to expect. It was easier making the picks than for the guys sitting there waiting but everyone was in good spirits." Or so it seemed. Staal's counterpart, Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings, put together a team that includes Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay"

Eric Staal selects all Canes All-Stars as teammates in draft

January 29

Raleigh News & Observer

"ric Staal got Cam Ward. Staal got Jeff Skinner, and his brother, Marc Staal. All in all, it seemed like a big night for Team Staal as the first NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft was held at the Raleigh Convention Center and the two teams were selected for Sunday's All-Star Game at the RBC Center. "I like our team a lot," Staal said after the draft. "I think we got the guys we wanted. "I enjoyed it. It was pretty cool. I didn't know what to expect. It was easier making the picks than for the guys sitting there waiting but everyone was in good spirits." Or so it seemed. Staal's counterpart, Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings, put together a team that includes Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay"

Staal leads Canes past Isles

January 27

Raleigh News & Observer

"If the Carolina Hurricanes are going to qualify for the playoffs, they need to continue to feast on the teams below them. Wednesday night it was the New York Islanders, a team near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Carolina notched a 4-2 victory over New York. The Canes were led by two goals from All-Star captain Eric Staal, 1:28 apart in the second period. It was the 35th time Staal has scored multiple goals in a game. Staal's effort gave Carolina a 3-1 lead after two periods. Brandon Sutter sealed the victory with a break-away goal late in the third period. The Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead at 14:43 of the first period when center Zach Boychuk took a pass from Erik Cole along"

All business on ice for Staals

January 26

Raleigh News & Observer

"It was quite the attention-grabber, even in New York's famed Madison Square Garden, where nearly everything in sports has been seen or done. There was Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes hovering over his brother, New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal, who had been crunched into the boards. With players from both teams leaning over from the benches, craning necks to take it all in, Eric Staal was penalized late in the second period for charging his brother and was sent to the penalty box. Charging? Surely such a thing had to linger, creating some sibling resentment. Probably didn't talk or text or anything for days or weeks. "Yeah, they had dinner after the game, I think," said a"

Truck is Staal's MVP momento

January 26

Raleigh News & Observer

"Eric Staal has lifted the Stanley Cup in victory for the Carolina Hurricanes and won an Olympic gold medal for Canada. Being named the MVP of the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta may not have quite the same thrill value, but it did earn Staal both added recognition in his sport and a 2008 silver Dodge Journey truck to keep. Staal, playing in his second All-Star Game, had two goals and assisted on the winning goal as the East held off the West 8-7. Still, he wasn't sure he'd be the MVP. Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets did have a hat trick for the West, and Staal said he was a little surprised to receive the award. "The neat thing about an All-Star Game is the whole experience of"

Staal epitomizes leader, All-Star

January 26

Raleigh News & Observer

"Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes has played in other All-Star Games and should play in more in the years to come. But there may never be one quite like the one Sunday. Not one played in his home building, the RBC Center. Not as an All-Star captain, drafting a team. Not with a teammate, goaltender Cam Ward, in the game on home ice. Not with a brother, defenseman Marc Staal of the New York Rangers, a first-time All-Star this year. "Being in Raleigh will be more special, for sure," Staal said. "It's going to be exciting. It will be fun." And important. It will be a special moment not only for Staal, but for the organization he plays for and for the city that he represents in the league."

Staal, Lidstrom tabbed team captains for NHL All-Star game

January 19

Raleigh News & Observer

"Eric Staal said he won't devise any selection strategy in advance, won't have a mock draft. "I'm just going to wing it," he said Tuesday, smiling. Staal, captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, now has been designated a captain for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game and will draft one of the teams. Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings will be the opposing captain in the Jan. 30 game at the RBC Center, it was announced Tuesday by the NHL and NHL Players Association. The new All-Star format no longer pits the Eastern Conference all-stars against the Western stars. It will be Team Staal vs Team Lidstrom - hardly original names, but certainly installing Team Staal as the "home" team in the All-Star"

Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom, Carolina's Eric Staal selected as All-Star game captains

January 18

Michigan Live

"The Detroit Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom and Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Staal have been named as captains for the NHL All-Star game Jan. 30 in Raleigh, N.C. The captains were selected by their fellow all-stars and will lead the team selection process during the new All-Star Player Fantasy Draft on Jan. 28. As captains, Lidstrom and Staal also will set their team rosters for the SuperSkills on Jan. 29. The NHL All-Star teams are now designated as Team Lidstrom and Team Staal. Lidstrom is playing in his 19th NHL season, all with Detroit. The six-time Norris Trophy winner was named captain of the Red Wings before the 2006-07 season. The 2011 NHL All-Star Game is the 12th All-Star selection for"

Ward, Staal worthy picks

January 12

Raleigh News & Observer

"To no one's surprise, the Carolina Hurricanes will have three players involved in the NHL All-Star weekend they are hosting, the two obvious All-Stars and a third obvious rookie selection to participate in the skills competition. Eric Staal was a gimme from the word go, a three-time All-Star already who also happens to be playing some of the best all-around hockey of his career. Cam Ward's statistics weren't of All-Star caliber a month ago, but they are now. He was penciled in right behind Staal, and just had to avoid tripping over his own laces. Jeff Skinner's inclusion among the 12 rookies invited to come along for the ride was a no-brainer given his play this season and Calder Trophy"

Staal, Ward chosen for All-Star game

January 12

Raleigh News & Observer

"It seemed to be a foregone conclusion Eric Staal would be selected for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game, and the Carolina Hurricanes captain was Tuesday. Anyone who has been watching this season had to figure the Canes' Jeff Skinner would be one of the 12 rookies picked for the NHL Honda SuperSkills competition during the All-Star Weekend, and he was. Then there was Cam Ward. Everyone associated with the Hurricanes believed their star goaltender deserved to play in the Jan. 30 All-Star Game at the RBC Center. His numbers were up to snuff and it was his home arena. At the same time there was stiff competition at the position, and Ward's selection for his first All-Star Game appearance wasn't"

Staal, Ward named to All-Star Game

January 11

Raleigh News & Observer

"Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal and goalie Cam Ward were two of 36 players named Tuesday by the NHL for the All-Star Game, which will be at Raleigh's RBC Center Jan. 30. Staal, 26, is tied for eighth place in the league in goals (20) and is tied for 14th in the league in scoring (41 points). He leads the Hurricanes in goals, points and in power play goals (7). This is will be Staal's fourth-straight All-Star game, a franchise record. He was named MVP at the 2008 All-Star Game. "It's an honor every time," Staal said Tuesday after the morning skate at the RBC Center. "You want to be recognized among the elite of the league. For me to be a part of that this year is an incredible honor"

Carolina's Staal sinks Florida Panthers again

January 8

Miami Herald

"Eric Staal very easily could have been playing for the Panthers had the team not traded the top pick of the 2003 draft to Pittsburgh. The Penguins didn't take Staal either, and he slipped to the Carolina Hurricanes with the second selection. And even though things worked out for Pittsburgh -- they got a Stanley Cup-winning goalie in Marc-Andre Fleury out of it -- the Hurricanes have been thanking both teams for passing on Staal ever since. Staal, passed over by the Panthers in favor of since-traded Nathan Horton, helped do in Florida again Friday by scoring the go-ahead goal in Carolina's come-from-behind 5-3 win at BankAtlantic Center. Florida has coughed up two-goal leads in each of its"

Canes clip Ducks, 4-2

December 19

Raleigh News & Observer

"For nearly 57 minutes Saturday, it appeared the top story lines for the Carolina Hurricanes would be Eric Staal scoring another hat trick and another stellar game in goal by Cam Ward. You know, the standard stuff. And then things went a little haywire. The Hurricanes ended up holding off the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 at the RBC Center, pushing their winning streak to four games, but only after a frenetic final three minutes of regulation. Staal had his three goals by 1:41 into the second period, causing the hats to fly, and Ward was stopping everything the Ducks sent at him after an early goal by Ryan Getzlaf. The Canes (15-12-4) had a 3-1 lead and Canes fans roaring as Ward made super save after"

Hurricanes, Staal roll past mourning Senators

November 18

Raleigh News & Observer

"The Carolina Hurricanes were able to celebrate a 7-1 victory Wednesday over the Ottawa Senators. Eric Staal produced his 11th career hat trick and his 200th career goal, Chad LaRose scored twice and the Hurricanes easily ended a two-game losing streak - easing a bit of the angst from whippings from the Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens last week - with a big win at the RBC Center. Still, the Hurricanes could take but only so much satisfaction from this game, on this day. Not after all the Senators went through before playing. The Sens did not arrive in Raleigh until a few hours before game time. They were in Ottawa on Wednesday morning to attend a memorial service for the daughter"

Staal makes himself heard

September 29

Raleigh News & Observer

"Two voices have been very noticeable in Carolina Hurricanes preseason practices this year. OK, three if you count winger Chad LaRose. But he's a high-energy chatterbox. Canes coach Paul Maurice, undeniably, has the loudest voice. He was hoarse after the first practice of training camp. On Tuesday, Maurice screamed "TALK!" more than once during a 90-minute workout at the RBC Center. The Canes, he later said, must have better communication with each other, especially with a younger team. "It's really missing from young players because it's not a habit," Maurice said. "And then you have to add to that a new kid doesn't want to yell at [Eric] Staal for the puck. We've got to get rid of that."

Canes don't hesitate to get youngest Staal

May 14

Raleigh News & Observer

"The Carolina Hurricanes have added another Staal to their mix. The Canes on Thursday acquired right wing Jared Staal from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a fifth-round pick in this year's NHL Entry Draft. Staal, 19, is the brother of Canes captain Eric Staal and the youngest of the four Staal brothers. "I'm excited. Obviously this is a good opportunity for me," Jared Staal said Thursday. "I know about the organization because of my brother, and I know they give young guys a chance to develop. It's the right fit for me." Staal was taken by the Coyotes in the second round, 49th overall, in the 2008 draft. He had 12 goals and 37 assists this past season for the Sudbury Wolves of the"

Staal coming back to form

March 15

Raleigh News & Observer

"For Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes, the golden glow wasn't very lasting. Even Sidney Crosby says it has been a bit of a struggle getting back in the NHL flow. Two weeks ago Sunday, Staal and Crosby were a part of one of the biggest hockey moments of their lives. Though both have won Stanley Cups, it was hard to match the thrill, the nationwide euphoria, that came from Crosby's overtime goal for Canada - forever to be known as the "Golden Goal" - that beat the United States 3-2 in the Vancouver Olympics. In seven games since winning the gold medal, Staal has just one goal and three assists for the Canes. The one goal: against Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday in a 4-3"

Happy Staal heads back to work

March 2

Raleigh News & Observer

"Eric Staal had a hard time taking off his Olympic gold medal Monday. It wasn't that the Carolina Hurricanes captain was showing off. It's just that everywhere he turned he was asked to pull it out and put it on - for TV interviews, for photos, for his teammates and coaches - and he even had his own two-man security detail at the Canes' team hotel. Not that Staal minded. It was his dream to help win Olympic gold for Canada in the Vancouver Winter Games, to win on home soil, to make his family and his country proud. Proud? Canada experienced sea-to-sea pandemonium Sunday afternoon after Sidney Crosby's overtime goal beat the U.S. team. "They say it's a pound and a half," Staal said, smiling"

With new chemistry, Canada routs Germany

February 24

Toronto Star

"With Canada Hockey Place playing the role of Petri dish, and the defensive-focused Germans little more than annoying bacteria, Team Canada's experimenting finally resulted in some first-line chemistry. Eric Staal was the latest to receive the call on Sidney Crosby's flank, skating to his left while Jarome Iginla reprised his role as right wing sniper on Canada's top unit. The concoction worked. That troika produced three goals in a confidence-building 8-2 elimination game victory against the Germans Tuesday. This tilt was little more than a prelude to Wednesday's much-anticipated Olympic quarterfinal matchup with the Russians (7:30 p.m. Eastern time on CTV). It was a game made necessary"

Olympics special to pros

February 16

Raleigh News & Observer

"When the Olympic hockey competition begins tonight, Jussi Jokinen will be watching. Never mind the baffling snub by the Finnish team. Never mind the 10-hour time difference between Helsinki and Vancouver. The Carolina Hurricanes forward will be watching. That Jokinen, the shootout ace whose omission from Team Suomi in the midst of a career year with the Hurricanes is beyond baffling, is willing to put aside his hurt feelings to watch the competition is a good measure of what Olympic involvement means to NHL players. "I'll probably watch, yeah," Jokinen said before heading home for the break. "It's tough because in Finland there's a big-time difference from here, but I'm going to try to"

Showing a captain's class

January 21

Raleigh News & Observer

"Of everything Rod Brind'Amour has ever done for the Carolina Hurricanes, his willingness to turn the captaincy over to Eric Staal may be the most honorable. That changing of the guard may have been inevitable, but no one would have held it against Brind'Amour if he wanted to finish out the season and make the transition, quietly, over the summer. Instead, Brind'Amour acknowledged that his generation - the old guard of 2006 - is on its way out in Carolina, and better now than later. Since he arrived in the 2000 trade that sent Keith Primeau to the Philadelphia Flyers, Brind'Amour's value to the franchise has been immense. Originally uncomfortable here, he grew to embrace the market, and his"

Canes change captains

January 21

Raleigh News & Observer

"On the day Eric Staal was made captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, it also seemed fitting that he reclaimed his position as the team's top-line center. Moving forward, in this season and the seasons to come, the Hurricanes will need Staal to be the man wearing the "C" and to be the man figuratively at the center of everything - the team leader on and off the ice, a consistent producer, someone to follow, someone to say the right things and provide inspiration in good times and bad. Rod Brind'Amour did that for the Hurricanes. In 2006, he was the consummate team captain as Carolina won the Stanley Cup, the ultimate in good times. But Brind'Amour, now 39 and in his 21st season, realized the"

Staal replaces Brind'Amour as Canes captain

January 20

Raleigh News & Observer

"The Carolina Hurricanes have a new captain and it came as no surprise. The timing, maybe, but not the selection. General manager Jim Rutherford announced today that forward Eric Staal would succeed Rod Brind'Amour as captain. He said he first discussed the decision with Brind'Amour, who led the Canes to the 2006 Stanley Cup, and said Brind'Amour had the right to veto the move, but agreed it would be best for a team in last place in the NHL. "It's something we were planning on doing at some point in time, not knowing exactly when that would be," Rutherford said. "I've had a couple of conversations with Rod over the last month or two ... just to see how he's doing in the overall scheme of"