Eric Staal return to Canes unlikely

Eric Staal will be looking for a team when NHL free agency begins Friday, but a return to the Carolina Hurricanes apparently will not be an option.

Canes general manager Ron Francis said Tuesday night there had been no contact with Staal, who was traded by Carolina to the New York Rangers in February just before the NHL trade deadline. Staal, the former Canes captain, is due to become an unrestricted free agent on Friday.

“While he was a great player in this market for a long time, with where we’re at, with the young players we have and the direction we’re going, it would be unfair to us and to him to bring him back and ask him to accept a much different role than the one he had,” Francis said. “I think he has a lot of years left and he’ll test the waters. We wish him the best.”

Staal, 31, was a big part of the Canes’ Stanley Cup championship in 2006 and was named captain in January 2010, succeeding Rod Brind’Amour. He holds Hurricanes franchise records in several categories and was the team’s highest-paid player.

A decision was made by Francis in February to trade such veterans as Staal, Kris Versteeg and John-Michael Liles as part of his big-picture view of the franchise. Staal, who had a no-trade clause in his contract with Carolina, agreed to the trade to the Rangers, hoping to contend for another Stanley Cup alongside brother Marc Staal.

Staal finished with 13 goals and 39 points in 83 games with the Canes and Rangers, then did not have a point and was minus-7 in five playoff games as the Rangers were ousted by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Rick Curran, who represents Staal for Orr Hockey Group, confirmed there has been no recent contact with the Canes about a return.

“We’ve never really closed the door (as I’ve alluded to when asked) however given the current situation it should be apparent to anyone who really looks at it … both Eric and the Canes are focusing on other options,” Curran said in an email.

Canes center Jordan Staal was somber when his older brother was traded to the Rangers, believing the Canes could remain in the chase for a playoff berth, and did not have his exit meeting with Canes management immediately after the season. Francis has since said the two have met and that the conversation was “real positive.”

“He’s excited about the direction we’re going in,” Francis said.

This story was originally published June 29, 2016 at 10:53 AM with the headline "Eric Staal return to Canes unlikely."