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Report: Canes, Eric Staal aren’t close to deal

Carolina Hurricanes v Florida Panthers

Carolina Hurricanes v Florida Panthers

NHLI via Getty Images

With one year left on his current contract, Eric Staal and the Carolina Hurricanes aren’t close to hashing out a new one, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Here’s what Friedman told The FAN 960 on Monday:

“I don’t think anybody is going to come out and say that, but I have heard they’re not really that close in negotiations,” Friedman said. “He has control. He has a no-move clause, just like Cam Ward does. Carolina can’t do anything without his approval.”

Staal has control ... and he’s also “very comfortable” in Carolina. And, really, the “comfortable” thing to do would be to extend their captain.

Diminishing returns

Success in sports and “comfort” don’t always mix so well - competition tends to make you leave that security blanket behind, after all - so one has to wonder if it’s really the right decision for Staal or the Hurricanes.

Ever since the Hurricanes’ unexpected Stanley Cup win in 2005-06, this team has been sinking or swimming based on the play of Staal and Ward.

Let’s be honest: that hasn’t worked out all that often. Yes, there was a deep postseason run in 2008-09, but that was Carolina’s only playoff appearance since that title run.

Is that all Staal’s fault? Of course not, but the Hurricanes might just be better off passing the torch ... and Staal could benefit in going from the guy in Carolina to just one of the guys on another team.