On the eve of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh, the hockey player making the biggest news is already in the league.
TSN analyst Bob McKenzie reported Thursday on his Twitter account (@TSNBobMcKenzie) that Penguins forward Jordan Staal had turned down a 10-year, $60 million contract extension offer to remain in the Steel City, where he was a key cog on Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup team in 2009. The 23-year-old Staal is coming off a career-best 50-point season in 2011-12 (25 goals, 25 assists) and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2012-2013 season, in which he is scheduled to make $4 million.
News that Staal had turned down the extension sent the already-existing trade talk into overdrive, particularly since Staal has indicated that he doesn't plan on signing an extension with the Pens at the present time.
Staal had already been mentioned as a potential trade target this offseason, particularly for the Carolina Hurricanes, who have older brother Eric Staal under contract through the 2015-16 season. The Hurricanes also have the youngest Staal brother, 21-year-old Jared, in the minor leagues, and could conceivably bring three of the four Staal brothers together in Raleigh.
In reality, however, the list of suitors for Staal is likely to be nearly identical to the list of teams pursuing Columbus Blue Jackets center Rick Nash. The Penguins would be highly unlikely to trade Staal within the Atlantic Division, which would eliminate the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers (who have the fourth Staal brother, defenseman Marc Staal, under contract through 2014-15), but the San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs (located in Staal's home province of Ontario) could also be potential destinations for Staal, particularly once Nash is off the market. Only one team will be able to fulfill its need of an elite centerman through a trade with Columbus, meaning that whoever's left will have even more incentive to go after Staal.
What exactly Jordan Staal is looking for is unclear, and a statement from his agent, Paul Krepelka, didn't exactly clarify matters.
McKeznie reported through Twitter that Krepelka said, "Jordan is not prepared to sign an extension at this time."
That, however, is to be expected, since Staal is getting married on Friday.
