Carolina Hurricanes: Decision on Eric Staal’s Future Getting Closer Everyday

As the season continues to wear on, the Carolina Hurricanes are getting closer and closer to making their decision on Eric Staal‘s future.

Since 2003, just one thing has been a constant for the Carolina Hurricanes – Eric Staal’s presence on the team. We may be finally seeing the end of an era that has spanned through a majority of the highs and lows of the team’s history.

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Staal’s future with the club is still uncertain. General manager Ron Francis said prior to the start of the season that the first few months would likely play a big part in their decision with the captain.

Here we are. It is November 21, 19 games into the 2015-2016 season. The Hurricanes are the last place in the Eastern Conference, and they are in a 3-way tie for last in the entire league with the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche.

In general, it takes 20-25 games to really see what your team is and what you have. We are just about at that point, and if we don’t already know what the Carolina Hurricanes are, we will by the mid and late portions of December.

Right now, the Canes are a team that can play high caliber defense and are confident with their current state of goaltending. Unfortunately, they are also a team that fails to provide any kind of offensive consistency and are prone to blowing games and making horrible decisions at crucial points in any given hockey match.

Eric Staal has played well, relative to the rest of the team, offensively. He ranks 2nd on the club in points with 12 in 19 games. He is also a +1.

The reliable offensive play hasn’t been nearly enough for this team to actually be a respectable offensive foe, so if he doesn’t help this team score, then why would you keep him?

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Considering the return you could get for a proven, yet declining, scorer like Eric Staal could be significant not only for the current state of the team, but also for the long-term future as the Canes would almost certainly be bringing back young talent and draft picks for the 31-year-old forward.

As the day of reckoning approaches for Eric Staal and the Carolina Hurricanes, talk will continue to heat up. Stall is a pending UFA, and he has a No-Trade-Clause, so he will have to approve a trade no matter what. He ultimately controls his own destiny.

Despite all of this, the veteran says that he hasn’t though about it too much. Right now, he’s focusing on playing well on the ice helping the Canes salvage their season.

"“As every day goes by, it gets closer to certain decisions being made,” said Staal. “I’ve been focused on what I have to do at the rink to help this team. That kind of stuff will play itself out when we get there. Right now, I haven’t worried about it a lot.”"

It is good that he is focusing strickly on the on-ice things. If he plays well, his trade value increases. Right now, it honestly looks like it is inevitable that he will be moved prior to the trade deadline, unless things absolutely turn around for this team and they hop back into the playoff race.

The potential return for Eric Staal is too high, and his play over the past few seasons has been too questionable. A fresh start for him and the Canes may be what is best.

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When it comes down it though, it doesn’t matter what I say or think. It’s up to the Carolina Hurricanes and the player to decide what is best for this team and their future and whether it is with or without Eric Staal.