Hurricanes Sign Jordan Staal to 10-Year Extension

The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that they have signed newly acquired center Jordan Staal to a 10-year contract extension worth $60 million.  The deal will average out to $6 million per season.  He would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer.  Staal was acquired by the Hurricanes on June 22 from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Brandon Sutter, defenseman Brian Dumoulin, and Carolina's first round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft.  The Penguins used the pick to draft defenseman Derrick Pouliot.  In 62 games last season with the Penguins, Staal had 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points.  He added six goals and three assists for nine points in six playoff games.  The Hurricanes had been seeking a number one center and they got that in Jordan Staal.  He has plenty of offensive talent and two-way skill, skates well, and is excellent on the power play and penalty kill.  Now that he will be the number one center in Carolina, as well as playing alongside brother Eric, look for Staal to increase his offensive numbers in the coming years and help the Hurricanes become more competitive offensively.