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Carolina Hurricanes: Decision on Eric Staal Extension Pending

By Diana Driscoll

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What are the Carolina Hurricanes to do?

This is a very vague question and could relate to a number of issues plaguing the team. Let’s face it; they’re in need of a rebuild. But in this instance we are going to focus on what the Canes should do with their captain Eric Staal.

Staal is still under contract until next season, so for those Hurricanes’ fans that want him to stay, you’re in luck—for now. You know how the Tampa Bay Lightning were looking to lock up Steven Stamkos this summer (why are we hearing nothing on that front?), well, the Hurricanes looked to do the same with their captain. But now, it doesn’t look like a contract extension will happen before the start of camp.

That’s not really a big deal. A lot of things take precedence over contract extensions when a player won’t be a UFA for another season.

But, of course, Staal and the Canes not coming to an agreement or even talking about a contract extension has got people wondering. What are Carolina’s plans?

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Like I said before, Carolina has so many problem areas. They need better defense, consistent scorers (ahem Jeff Skinner) and just their goaltenders need more support from everyone. Not many, including NBC Sports, has high hopes for the Hurricanes this season.

So, do they hang on to one of the few players on their roster that knows what it feels like to hoist the Stanley Cup or do they trade him or let him walk?

Hmm, what to do, what to do.

Letting a franchise player walk? I don’t think that’s going to happen. So it’s really between trading him and extending him.

Trading him

Trading him doesn’t seem like a viable option. Staal has an $8.25 cap hit. What team would be willing to take that on for the 30-year-old? In this cap-strapped market? Not many. Even if the Canes could retain, let’s say 50 percent of his salary, they would still have a difficult time moving him.

Could it happen? Yes, of course it could. And in return I am sure the Hurricanes would be looking for youth upfront (I’m sorry to anyone 30 or older who is offended, but in hockey hitting 30 seems to start the player’s decline in value).

Moving Staal would be surefire sign of a rebuild, which is essentially what the Hurricanes will have to do before they could become a playoff team once again. They have some names that draw you in, that give you hope, but (of late) there has been constant disappointment once April rolls around. Trading Staal and getting players that can develop in the system and eventually make it to the NHL could work out in the Canes favor.

Additionally, trading him would, somewhat, open up cap space. And, don’t forget, Carolina will also have to make a decision on goaltender Cam Ward as well this season. So, if you get rid of Staal they’ll have more money for Ward and to sign other players.  (Though, you have to wonder if the Hurricanes plan to keep Ward now they have acquired Eddie Lack).

It’s not just the money. If you really think about it the Hurricanes aren’t going to be a contender any time soon (sorry fans) and keeping Staal around isn’t going to change that. He can’t carry the team—not anymore. His value isn’t going to increase; it is not going to be any greater than it is now. So, going with the trend of trading a player too early rather than too late, Carolina should just cut ties and get something in the deal by trading their captain.

Extending him

On the other side of the spectrum, Staal is an integral part of the Hurricanes team. Sure, he had a down year and the Hurricanes didn’t fare so well, but he still helped his team in their second-half push.

As TSN’s Travis Yost pointed out:

"The Carolina improvement was a real thing, though. In the first half of the season, the Hurricanes accumulated just 30 points – 29th in the National Hockey League, only ahead of the lowly Oilers. In the second-half of the season, the Hurricanes accumulated 41-points, putting themselves at a more respectable point-per-game pace.So, we did see some growth on raw wins and losses. But Carolina’s improvement was subtly more impressive than a couple of extra wins here and a couple of overtime points there – at even-strength they were competitive, with brief stretches of play that left you perplexed at how such a decent-looking club was in the gutter of the standings."

In the second half of the season, when the Staal brothers were playing together and were at full health, the team’s possession numbers went up and there were overall improvements in the Hurricanes’ game.

You can’t deny that Eric and Jordan worked well together and they proved to make a difference, even if it still didn’t get the team into the playoffs. I mean, they can’t do everything. They need support! So, you can blame Staal and say that he is done; he’s finished because his numbers are down. But even the best players are sometimes viewed as mediocre when they don’t have anyone that complements them.

Staal has got size, speed and skill. He is a proven top-six NHL center who can put up numbers and lead a team. He’s got 10 years of experience and, with he Hurricanes’ roster set to include younger players, he could be a great mentor for them.

Staal can still play the game. And when he is surrounded by players who are more adept, his production increases. He’s an asset, plain and simple.

Staal has stated he wants to continue playing for the Canes. He has to know if he does the offer he is going to get isn’t going to be as lucrative as his current deal. If the Canes are lucky, and they get a bit of a loyalty discount, they could sign him to an extension for around $7 million (who knows how many years, but I wouldn’t think that many).

If Ron Francis is thinking about the either or route (either Ward or Staal), hands down the winner is Staal. He is one of those players that doesn’t come around very often. Ward, although his position is harder to fill, is a dime a dozen.

Francis has to do what is best for his team. I don’t know if I would trade Staal just yet. But I do know I’d only keep him as long as his contract demands are within reason. I’d give him no more than four years.

Next: Giordano Staying in Calgary

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