Eric Staal, who wore the ‘C’ for the Canes, is happy his brother now gets his chance
For those who like statistics nice and neat, Eric Staal now has 1,000 career NHL points, getting the first 775 with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Staal had a power-goal for the Minnesota Wild on Sunday for No. 1,000, although it came in a 5-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. At 35, the center also has taken exactly 3,800 shots.
With longevity comes milestones and Staal has had a few. His name is on the Stanley Cup as a member of the Hurricanes’ 2006 champions. He has a brother, Jordan, who now wears the “C” as Canes captain as Eric did from January 2010 until he was traded to the New York Rangers — what a strange day that was for so many — on Feb. 28, 2016, just before a home game against St. Louis.
Before Jordan Staal was named captain this season, he talked with his oldest brother, gleaning some advice. Jordan Staal served as a co-captain with defenseman Justin Faulk in the 2017-18 season but this would be different. And this would be following Justin Williams, a forceful, outspoken type who wore the “C” and led the Canes back to the playoffs last season before heading into semi-retirement.
“The biggest thing was just to be himself,” Eric Staal said in a recent interview. “Don’t change. That’s the No. 1 thing. Just be who you are and that will naturally come through. There are certain responsibilities at different times but at the end of the day it’s about being yourself regardless of whether you have a letter or not.
“The thing with Justin is he’s himself. He’s got the credentials and the history to back what he said and I think Jordan does, too. I’m happy he has the opportunity and now it’s about just playing and doing his thing and helping the team win.”
Eric Staal replaces Rod Brind’Amour as captain
Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour, the captain of the 2006 champs, wanted Jordan Staal as his captain this season. In an interesting twist, it was Eric Staal who had replaced Brind’Amour as captain and accepted the “C” on a somber, cheerless day in 2010. This time, it was Brind’Amour’s decision.
“It’s an honor to wear it, especially in this place,” Eric Staal said before the Dec. 7 game against Carolina at PNC Arena. “I don’t want to include myself but there has been some great leaders here. He’s a great person to lead the charge for their young group and I’m happy for him.”
Eric Staal faced some challenging, soul-searching moments as Canes captain and perhaps few tougher than in his last season with Carolina.
Bill Peters, then the Canes coach, kicked former defenseman Michal Jordan in the back and also punched another player in a game -- acts of physical abuse that Brind’Amour recently confirmed when allegations about Peters were made public by Jordan. Brind’Amour said the incidents were brought to the attention of Canes management and handled correctly.
Eric Staal said he was with the team at the time of the Jordan incident. Staal said former Canes defenseman Ron Hainsey informed him about Peters and Jordan and the matter was taken to Ron Francis, then the general manager.
“Basically what Roddy (Brind’Amour) said is exactly what happened,” Staal said. “It was addressed and dealt with. That specific incident was dealt with properly, in my opinion.”
Peters, who left the Canes in 2018 to coach the Calgary Flames, resigned Nov. 29, his future in hockey uncertain. Francis now is the GM with the NHL’s Seattle expansion franchise.
Eric Staal’s career resurgence
Jordan Staal came to the Canes in June 2012, traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins and intent on joining Eric in making Carolina a playoff team and Cup contender. That never came about and Eric was traded to New York, joining another brother, defenseman Marc Staal.
Eric Staal has had a career resurgence since signing as a free agent with the Wild in 2016, scoring 42 goals in 2017-18, which Brind’Amour attributes to not dealing with such expectations as being captain and top point producer and trying to carry a team into the playoffs.
“The pressure to be ‘the guy’ here was a little too much, I think, and he put too much on himself,” Brind’Amour said. “He went there and he was free to go play. He’s a little more relaxed. I think he’s learned not to have things weigh on him. He just goes out and plays and is probably enjoying the game more than he ever had.”
Jordan Staal, 31, has not had the kind of season, on the offensive end, that he wanted -- three goals and seven assists in 33 games. But he has been strong in the defensive zone, effective as a penalty killer and dependable on faceoffs, taking the big draws. He’s still the Canes’ horse and Carolina twice beat the Wild this season.
Staal said he often texts with Eric, after good games and bad.
“We can relate,” he said. “We have the same job, the same position, the same lot of things. Both of understand how hard it is at times but also how much fun it is.”
