Carolina Hurricanes: Jordan Staal’s 2019-20 Season Outlook

Entering his eighth season with the Carolina Hurricanes, what can we expect to see from veteran Jordan Staal next season?

An NHL veteran of 13 years, Jordan Staal is entering his eighth season with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2019-20. Proving to be a valuable asset both on and off the ice, Jordan should once again be a go-to man for Rod Brind’amour in any and all situations. With that in mind, what kind of production should we expect to see from the big center this fall?

Originally drafted second overall in 2006 by the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Hurricanes traded for Jordan Staal back in 2012. In a draft day trade involving the eighth overall pick (Derrick Pouliot), Brandon Sutter and prospect Brian Dumoulin, the Hurricanes looked to unite Jordan with his older brother, Eric Staal, solidifying the team’s top two centers for the foreseeable future.

Shortly after acquiring Jordan, the Hurricanes signed him to a ten year, $60 million contract extension, the same deal he reportedly turned down from the Penguins to join Eric in Raleigh. Now entering his eighth season in Carolina, Jordan Staal is a key member of the leadership group poised to make another run at the Stanley Cup.

In 2018-19, Staal appeared in only 50 games due to a concussion. In those 50 games, he scored 11 goals and added 17 assists for 28 points, while sporting a plus/minus of +6. Averaging 18:17 in time on ice, Staal proved once again to be the team’s best faceoff option, winning 55.8% of his draws.

In the playoffs, Staal appeared in 15 games, posting 10 points, four goals and six assists, while turning in a plus/minus of +7, with 19:20 TOI. Over his 13 year career, Jordan has played in 893 games, scoring 217 goals, 293 assists for 510 points. In a Hurricanes sweater, Staal has 97 goals, making it highly likely that we’ll see him hit the 100 goal mark in the first half of the season.

Looking ahead, with the addition of Erik Haula, it is possible that Staal could slot in as the team’s third line center on occasion, depending on matchups, injuries, or player performance. In a third line checking role, Staal should thrive, as he is a solid defensive center. When head coach Rod Brind’amour has the last change, look for Staal’s line to be on the ice against opposing team’s top line as much as possible.

In the face off dot, Jordan should win 55-58% of his draws once again in 2019-20. His TOI should be fairly consistent with his career average of 18:47. Staal will certainly be the Hurricanes’ number one penalty-killer again next season, and should see some time on the team’s second power play unit.

If he can stay healthy for a full 82 game regular season, depending on his line mates, it is not out of the question to see Staal hit the 20 goal mark for the sixth time in his career. Averaging around 45 points in a full season, we should expect to see similar production next year, with around 60-65% of his points stemming from assists.

Based on his performance in the playoffs, it should come as no surprise to see a rejuvenated Jordan next fall. He waited a long time to experience playoff hockey in Raleigh, and took his game to the next level once the team finally made their long-awaited return. Look for Staal to be ready to go come training camp, proving that last season wasn’t just ‘one and done’ for the Carolina Hurricanes.

What are your expectations for Staal in 2019-20?