Carolina Hurricanes Morning News: Eric Staal, Patrick Kane, and the Chicago Blackhawks
By Brett Finger
Will Eric Staal be traded? That is one of the biggest questions surrounding the Carolina Hurricanes, and it has been at the front of all team-related rumors over the past year.
More From Cardiac Cane – Hurricanes Offseason Review and What Could Happen Next
Also, more information about the Patrick Kane rape investigation has been released, and the Chicago Blackhawks have an important decision to make about one of their remaining restricted free agents.
Let’s take a look at today’s news.
Hurricanes Links
- The Carolina Hurricanes will play some important and entertaining games this season. Matt Karash takes a quick look at the Canes 2015-2016 schedule. (Canes and Coffee)
What Should Carolina Do with Eric Staal? – Pro Hockey Talk
NBC’s Pro Hockey Talk discussed on Sunday what the Carolina Hurricanes should do with their captain and franchise cornerstone Eric Staal.
Staal, 30, is entering the final year of his current deal, one which carried an AAV of $8.25 million over seven seasons.
PHT pointed out that high-level centers Jason Spezza and Ryan Kesler, both in their early 30’s, received big money contracts from the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks respectively over the past few seasons, so Staal would likely be in line for a big money, multi-year extension as well. I talked about how much Eric Staal is actually worth HERE.
Of course, another issue here is Staal’s no trade clause. Back in January, it was reported that Eric would not be willing to waive it, which made a deal involving him impossible. Of course, 7 months later, things could be different.
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Also, there has to be worry about Jordan Staal. It was well documented that his desire to play in Carolina largely stemmed from his interest in playing with his brother. If Eric gets moved, will Jordan want out? That is a very important thing to consider if you’re Ron Francis and the Carolina front office.
With the offensive woes being very apparent in Carolina, dealing a guy like Eric Staal for several young forwards could turn out incredibly beneficial in the next few seasons, especially with the shelves stocked on the blue line.
There is a whole lot to consider here, and I didn’t even get into the fact that Staal has been the face of the franchise for almost a decade and has been a great contributor to charities and communities in North Carolina.
The Pro Hockey Talk article also included a poll, and 80% of voters said the Canes should move Staal, opposed to just 20% thinking that the team should keep him.
This will continue to be a very interesting story to watch this offseason.
Patrick Kane Rape Allegations – The Buffalo News
More information has been released by The Buffalo News in regards to the Patrick Kane rape and sexual assault allegations.
The report states that the female victim has bite marks on her shoulder and scratches on her leg, and that Kane invited the woman and her friend to his South Buffalo home, where the incident allegedly happened, last Saturday.
According to the report, Kane was at a bar near Buffalo on the night of the incident. The owner of the bar said that he casually knows Kane and that a woman was being very flirtatious and forward with the young hockey player on the night of the incident, but he did not know if it was the same girl as the victim in the case.
"“I’ve got no skin in this game. I am only telling you what I observed,” Croce said. “(Kane) was acting like a typical young guy his age, out having fun with some of his buddies. A lot of people were coming up to him, asking to have pictures taken with him. He was a gentleman. Pat had a couple of drinks and maybe a couple of shots. He was having a good time, but he wasn’t stumbling or doing anything obnoxious.”"
The Patrick Kane saga will continue to roar on through the offseason. The outcome of the investigation has massive implications both on and off the ice for the vistim, Kane, and the Blackhawks.
Kane has yet to be charged with anything.
Blackhawks in Tough Situation with Kruger – Boston Globe
Chicago’s young fourth line center Marcus Kruger is still in need of a contract, and the restricted free agent could draw up some interesting situations for the team.
The Boston Globe speculates that a division rival making an offer sheet for the young Swede could not only apply pressure on Chicago, but also maybe bring that team a good center if the Hawks don’t match.
The article mentions the Colorado Avalanche as a good option for this due to their cap room.
If the Avs or some other team offer sheets Kruger, it would be the first time it has happened this offseason. The threat of an offer sheet was a factor in the trade of Brandon Saad to Columbus this offseason.
This will be an interesting story to follow. Kruger, 25, is coming off of a 17-point year with the Blackhawks and could provide any team with a very solid bottom-six center.