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Carolina Hurricanes: Top Landing Spots for Eric Staal

By Brett Finger

Nov 30, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal (12) works the puck during the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. New York Rangers won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal (12) works the puck during the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. New York Rangers won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida Panthers forward Jagr (68) controls the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal (12) during the first period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida Panthers forward Jagr (68) controls the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal (12) during the first period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

Florida Panthers

The most logical landing spot for Eric Staal is with the Florida Panthers, and there is very little doubt in that regard.

The Panthers have planted themselves in a very safe playoff position atop the Atlantic Division. The club ranks 2nd in the East in points behind just the elite Washington Capitals.

Naturally, Florida should be concerned about their playoff run because of those pesky Capitals, a team that shows no sign of slowing down in any area. Adding a veteran scorer with Stanley Cup experience is the logical step for this team that has a roster loaded with young talent.

Staal wouldn’t be alone as the veteran on the Panthers. Jaromir Jagr and Roberto Luongo have led the way for the Cats all year, and they show no sign of slowing down despite their advanced ages.

Staal would be joining a rather bare top-six featuring the likes of former teammate Jussi Jokinen, young star Aleksander Barkov, and the hall of fame bound Jagr. This is a team that desperately needs help offensively to make an impact in postseason play.

The team’s center depth is also not where it needs to be with two young centers in their top-six, Derek MacKenzie on the third-line, and Greg McKegg on line four. MacKenzie would be a much better fit on the final forward line, and Nick Bjugstad, who is currently playing in a 2C role, is much better in a top-nine role opposed to a top-six role.

The Panthers rank 24th in the league in corsi for percentage, so Eric Staal’s solid possession numbers and his ability to play from his own end first would really help their top-six.

Florida has ample cap space to take back a guy like Staal, and they have all the assets that the Carolina Hurricanes will be after.

The Panthers have a pick in each of the first 5 rounds of June’s draft, and a very intriguing list of prospects, including 2015 1st round draft pick Lawson Crouse, WHL standout Jayce Hawrlyuk, and NHL-ready 24-year-old Brandon Pirri.

To me, an Eric Staal trade involving the Florida Panthers makes a ludicrous amount of sense. The Panthers want/need offensive help in their top-six, they have assets that they can afford giving up, and the Hurricanes could get some big pieces for their future through a trade.

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