NHL Trade: Hurricanes Trade Eric Staal To The Rangers

Eric Staal rumors

Eric Staal rumors

The Carolina Hurricanes have traded Eric Staal to the New York Rangers for two 2nd round picks and Finnish prospect Aleksi Saarela.

Elliotte Friedman: The Hurricanes will retain 50 percent of his contract.

General Fanager: “So the #Canes and #Rangers will split the remaining $2,094,086 owed to Eric Staal. $1,047,043 for each side.”

The 31-year old Staal was drafted 2nd overall in the 2003 draft by the Hurricanes. He carries a $8.25 million salary cap hit.

The 19-year old Saarela was drafted 89th overall in the 3rd round of the 2015 draft by the Rangers.

Thoughts from the media:

Brian Wilde:

Renaud Lavoie: “Obviously Hurricanes wanted more for Eric Staal. Fact that Staal wanted to play only for the NYR, if traded, didn’t help.”

Andy Strickland: “Eric Staal a big name but his play has been less than desired, one goal in 19 games. Leads #NHLcanes forwards in ice time. Very unimpressive”

Craig Button: ” Aleksi Saarela is a very good prospect. High IQ, makes plays. Quick & plays & executes at high pace. Versatile. Competes.”

Mike Halford: “Saarela’s had a really good year in Finland at age 19, so his stock is probably higher than a 3rd-rounder now.”

Miika Arponen: “Saarela is 10th in the Finnish Liiga in goals/60 min. Two spots behind fellow Canes prospect Aho. ”

Joe Yerdon: “Aleksi Saarela looked like a pretty solid player in Lake Placid last summer and at WJC. He and Sebastian Aho gives CAR a Finnish duo punch.”

Joe Haggerty: “That’s a haul for an Eric Staal well on the back nine. 2 second round picks and a prospect? Great trade market for selling teams”

David Johnson: “I’ll be curious to see if Staal’s offensive production returns going to a team that isn’t a puck-possession focused team.”

David Johnson: “Eric Staal’s 5v5 offensive production is surprisingly bad this year.”

Anthony Petrielli: “It wouldn’t be a trade deadline if the Rangers didn’t acquire an aging star who is past his prime and would only waive his NTC to go there.”

Eric Staal

Aleksi Saarela

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