Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said Tuesday that contract talks have begun for newly acquired forward Jordan Staal, who was dealt to Carolina on Friday by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Staal, the brother of Canes captain Eric Staal, is represented by Paul Krepelka of the Orr Hockey Group.

“We had our initial conversation last night,” Rutherford said. “Basically it was, ‘We made the trade, we know everybody is happy, now we need to start talking long-term.’ That being agreed on, now the work begins.”

Jordan Staal has one year remaining on a contract he had with the Pens that will pay him a $4.5 million salary next season. He’s due to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2012-2013 season.

Staal last week turned down a 10-year contract extension offered by the Pens that would have paid him a reported $60 million. Rutherford did not say what contract parameters – length and salary – the Canes or Staal might be interested in negotiating.

Krepelka said his policy was not to discuss contract negotiations, saying via email, “Jordan is excited about the opportunity that lies ahead of him in Carolina.”

Eric Staal, the Canes’ highest-paid player, has four years remaining on a contract that has an $8.25 million cap hit per season.