Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Penguins made a splash at the
draft on Friday night, shipping forward Jordan Staal to the Carolina
Hurricanes in exhange for Carolina's eighth-overall pick this year, forward
Brandon Sutter and defensive prospect Brian Dumoulin.
The deal comes on the heels of Staal turning down a reported 10-year contract
extension.
"We'd like to thank Jordan for six great years in Pittsburgh," said Penguins
general manager Ray Shero.
Staal posted 25 goals and 50 points in 62 regular season games, then struck
for six goals and nine points in a six-game first-round loss to rival
Philadelphia.
Since breaking into the NHL with Pittsburgh in 2006, the Ontario native has
compiled 120 goals and 248 points in 431 regular season games, adding 23 goals
and 36 points in 73 postseason appearances.
Staal, 23, who was dealt on his wedding day, will join his older brother Eric,
who has starred for the Hurricanes since 2003.
"Jordan is an elite two-way player who possesses a rare combination of speed,
size, scoring ability and defensive responsibility," said Carolina general
manager Jim Rutherford in a statement. "For his young age, he has a wealth of
NHL experience, including winning the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009."
Sutter notched 17 goals and 32 points in 82 games for the 'Canes last season.
The former first-round pick by Carolina in 2007 leaves the franchise after 53
goals and 107 points in 286 contests.
Dumoulin, taken by the Hurricanes in the second round three years ago, won a
pair of national championships with Boston College (2010, 2012). He departed
Chestnut Hill with 11 goals and 83 points in 123 games.
Pittsburgh selected defenseman Derrick Pouliot from Portland of the Western
Hockey League with the acquired pick.
The Sports Network