Carolina Hurricanes star Eric Staal has generated interest from contending teams this season and as the trading deadline gets closer, the Canes could consider moving the center in a deal.
According to the Ottawa Sun, a "league insider" said that the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers are potential options if the Hurricanes trade Staal. Bruce Garrioch writes that while the Rangers aren't definitely trying to acquire Staal at this point, he remains a potential target for the team. Garrioch writes that Staal's future is "up in the air" with the Hurricanes, as the team is getting younger and is not in the playoffs standings at this point in the season.
The Rangers are reportedly very interested in adding a forward at the deadline, as Larry Brooks at the New York Post reports that general manager Jeff Gorton remains in "win now mode." The Rangers have a core that is only getting older, including star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. The team has made some major moves over the past couple seasons at the deadline, including last year when they added Keith Yandle in a trade, and they could do so again.
Brooks writes that the Rangers should go after Staal this year as the deadline, as he is the "missing piece to another Rangers Cup run." Brooks mentions players like Patrick Marleau and Andrew Ladd as potential targets for the team, but that Staal has played well enough this year to be worth trading a draft pick for. Brooks writes that Staal is heading towards free agency and his "future in Carolina is unclear."
Staal has been mentioned in numerous trade reports through the season with the Hurricanes not looking like contenders this year, but Staal has a full "no move" clause and could shut down any deal. Staal potentially could waive the clause if he felt the right situation came along, but right now no deal is close to happening. Staal spoke about his future while in Ottawa and said to Sportsnet that he "wouldn't be crushed" if the Hurricanes traded him, saying that "the reality is that it's a business."
