ATS Consultants posted on June 23, 2012 01:04
Jordan Staal dealt to Carolina
The NHL Draft was held in Pittsburgh, which was appropriate, because the Penguins were busy making trades.
The Penguins traded center Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes for two players and Carolina's first-round pick in the NHL draft that was held in Pittsburgh on Friday night.
The 23-year-old Staal helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2009, but reportedly balked at signing a contract extension. Staal has one season left on his current four-year deal. Rather than continue negotiating, the Penguins shipped him to the Hurricanes, where Staal will join his brother Eric. Carolina also has Jared Staal -- currently playing in the American Hockey League.
Pittsburgh received center Brandon Sutter and defenseman Brian Dumoulin in the deal as well as Carolina's eighth-overall pick in the draft, which the Penguins used to select defenseman Derrick Pouliot.
On a day when speculation about the future of Columbus star Rick Nash abounded, it was the Penguins who provided the draft with a jolt by sending the popular Staal packing.
Staal, the team's sixth pick in the 2006 draft, is getting married this weekend with most of his former Penguins teammates expected to attend.
The move gives Carolina an elite young forward they hope will continue to flourish alongside big brother Eric.
Another brother, defenseman Marc Staal, plays for the New York Rangers.
Jordan Staal and Nash were the biggest names on the trade front. New Jersey's Zach Parise heads up the free-agent class that can begin talking to new teams on July 1.
Pittsburgh also dealt defenseman Zbynek Michalek to Phoenix for defenseman Harrison Ruopp, goaltender Marc Cheverie and a 2012 third-round pick (81st overall).