1. 2012- The (Future) Captain Comes Home
In the days leading into the 2012 Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins were trying to get a jump start on a new deal for a 2013 free agent. The young center had been an integral part of their 2009 Stanley Cup run and was quickly becoming one of the best defensive forwards in the league. With his contract expiring in just over a year, not even a ten-year deal was enough to keep him in town.
On the first night of the 2012 Draft, the Hurricanes swooped in to unite the young center with his older brother in Raleigh. Sending Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin, and the 8th pick in the draft to the Penguins, the Hurricanes landed Jordan Staal. The move coincided with Staal's wedding day, adding another layer of excitement to the occasion. With the pick, the Penguins selected Derrick Pouliot.
While never the most productive player on the team, Staal has been an invaluable member for the last 13 seasons. He's Top 10 in goals, assists, and points, while fourth in games played. He has already surpassed 1,300 games in his career and is two seasons away from reaching 1,000 with the Canes. He's our captain, and we will always appreciate what he has done for this team.