After dropping back-to-back games against the Maple Leafs and Bruins on Thursday and Friday, it’s becoming increasing clear that the Carolina Hurricanes could become sellers.
Carolina is just two points behind Pittsburgh for the final Wild Card spot in the East, but the Pens have four games in hand.
If the Hurricanes are backing out of the race, that means names like Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Kris Versteeg and John-Michael Liles could be on the move.
Staal is an interesting case. He’s spent his entire career with the ‘Canes and was a big part of Carolina’s Stanley Cup run in 2006.
Leaving Carolina would mean leaving teammate and brother Jordan behind, but could he move on to play with another sibling?
The New York Rangers are one of the teams that are reportedly interested in acquiring Staal.
They, of course, have one of Eric’s other brothers, Marc, on their roster.
“It’s obviously something that I’d absolutely like to [do],” Marc Staal said of joining forces with Eric, per NorthJersey.com. “It would be very cool. It would be a nice change of pace from playing against those two.
“I don’t really know if they are negotiating a contract or not. It’s never a good feeling not knowing what’s going to happen as a player, especially with a family at home. He’s got three boys. It’s a tough situation for him. He’s looking forward to Monday.”
It’ll be interesting to see if the Rangers can pull off a trade for Eric, as they don’t have a ton of young assets to move.