Carolina Plans To Make Staal Brothers Linemates
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) -- The dust has more than settled since Friday night's crazy first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, in which Jordan Staal was traded from Pittsburgh to Carolina for Brandon Sutter.
Now we're starting to get an idea of how each player will fit in on his new team.
Sutter recently met with the Pittsburgh media and said he's excited to play in Pittsburgh and improve his offensive game. Most importantly, he's looking to win.
Staal is surely expecting to win in Carolina, and he should probably start preparing to skate alongside his brother when the season starts.
According to the Sporting News, Carolina head coach Kirk Muller plans to try out Jordan and Eric Staal on the same line to see how they mesh.
"I think that's the great opportunity with training camp, is to experiment," Muller told the Raleigh News & Observer at the team's prospect camp on Wednesday. "We've got lots of (preseason exhibition) games. The first initial thing, right now, we definitely want to give them an opportunity to play together in those games and see if there's chemistry.
Part of the reason Jordan was interested in playing for the Hurricanes is because he wanted to play with his brother, Eric.
It's even why he turned down a 10-year contract offer from Pittsburgh. He said if he accepted that offer he might never get the chance to play with Eric.
Well, it looks like he's not going to have to worry about that possibility anymore.
"Lots of times, until you put guys together ... you know, you've got to get a feel for it," Muller said. "I know they have a little history from before. But I think it makes sense right now to start off with them and see how they work together."
Staal and the Hurricanes are reportedly preparing to negotiate a long-term deal.
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