Eric Staal News

Staal is a former 100-point player, but has seen his career numbers come crashing down in recent years. After he was traded to the Rangers at the deadline, he struggled mightily, posting just six assists (3G / 3A) in 20 regular season games and failed to record a point in five post-season games. His recent struggles were detrimental to his UFA value, allowing the Wild to sign him to a potential bargain $3.5M AAV contract.

Staal has been with the Hurricanes since being drafted second overall in 2003. He has seen his offensive output dip in recent years and has posted just 10 goals and 23 assists (33 points) in 63 games this season. He is a pending unrestricted free agent and leaves one brother (Jordan) to join another (Marc). He will play in the Rangers’ top-6 and shouldn’t be leaned on as heavily as he was in Carolina.

Staal was listed as a game-time decision with an illness, but he was expected to play and he will. Tonight Alex Semin will be back on Staal's line for the first time in recent memory.

Staal missed the Hurricanes morning skate, but he is expected to be in the lineup tonight. Coach Bill Peters said that Staal is battling a “minor” illness. Staal has one goal, three assists and 16 shots in his last four games.

Staal missed the skate because of some “soreness”, but he will play tonight vs. the Leafs. Staal has just one goal in his last seven games and 16 points (7G / 9A) in 25 games this season.

Staal, who suffered a foot injury on Sunday vs. Detroit, played through the pain on Monday, but missed today’s practice. Coach Bill Peters expects to have Staal on the ice for tomorrow’s pre game skate and have him in the lineup when they take on the Lightning tomorrow night. Staal has gone cold, failing to record a point in his last four games. He has 15 points (6G / 9A) in 22 games this season.

We won't know until the end of warmups, whether or not Staal will play. But in a quiet night in the NHL you can probably activate him and not miss out on other players if he doesn't play.

Staal was injured after he was hit by a teammates shot late in the Canes' loss to the Red Wings on Sunday. Staal will take part in pre-game warmups and then decide whether he can go or not.

Staal suffered a lower-body injury on Sunday vs. the Red Wings. He was blasted by shot in the foot area and left the game in some discomfort. He took part in the Canes’ optional morning skate, but left after about 20 minutes, putting his availability for tonight in some doubt. Expect an update shortly.

Staal has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but was a full participant in the last two practices and will be a go on Tuesday. This is a huge boost for the Hurricanes who 0-5-2 on the season. Staal had a goal and an assist in his first two games of the year, so he should pick up right where he left off. He will likely skate on the top line with Alex Semin and Jiri Tlusty.

Staal has been out for nearly two weeks because of an upper-body injury. The Hurricanes are taking on the Oilers tonight, but Staal is not expected to be in the lineup yet. They have three days off in between games so he will likely get the weekend off and could be back next Tuesday.

The Hurricanes have placed Staal on IR in order to make roster room to recall Brody Sutter. Carolina played with 11 forwards and seven defensemen last night, so this move allows them to play 12 forwards until Staal is ready to return. The move is retroactive to October 11th, meaning he is eligible to be activated from IR whenever he is healthy enough to play.

This is Staal's first practice with his team-mates since he suffered the upper-body injury. He will not play tonight, but is definitely nearing a return. He will need to shed that no-contact jersey tomorrow if he is going to play on Thursday or Friday.

The Hurricanes are not expecting to have Staal until at least October 28th vs. the Canucks. He skated on his own yesterday, but will need to join his teammates for practice before he is cleared to return to the lineup.

Staal has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury he suffered last Saturday. Sunday marked the first time that Staal skated since being injured, but he is expected to miss at least one more week.

The Hurricanes are off until Tuesday, so there is a chance that Staal could be back by then, but as of now he remains off of the ice with an upper-body injury.

Staal missed Tuesday's game and his absence this morning is not a good sign for his availability for Thursday's game vs. the Rangers. The Hurricanes will likely be getting Jeff Skinner back tomorrow, but it does not look like Staal will play. Monitor his status during tomorrow's morning skate.

This is a terrible break for the Hurricanes who will be without both Staal brothers and Jeff Skinner tomorrow. There is no word on how long Staal will be out, but the Hurricanes are certainly hoping it is not a lengthy absence.

Staal left Saturday's game following a hard collision. The Hurricanes are already without his brother Jordan and Jeff Skinner, so if Eric is to miss anytime, Carolina will be in much bigger trouble than they already are. The Hurricanes practiced with Victor Rask and Riley Nash as their top-2 centres today. Expect an update on Staal following the morning skate.