New York Rangers Acquire Eric Staal from Carolina in Vital Trade Deadline Deal

As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers agreed to a rather large trade on Sunday afternoon involving veteran Canes center Eric Staal.

In exchange for Carolina’s star, the franchise will receive a pair of second-round picks in addition to prospect Aleksi Saarela.

Just when you thought this deal couldn’t get any better for the Rangers, as a part of the trade: the Hurricanes agreed to retain 50% of Staal’s remaining salary, per ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun.

On the contrary: despite 43 points in 43 career playoff games, Staal has struggled as of late — scoring only one goal in his last 19 games.

From the sound of things, Staal made his wishes to play with his brother in New York very clear — and they were granted…

This will be the first time in Staal’s NHL career that has worn a jersey other than that of the Carolina Hurricanes — thus, only time will tell to determine just how lopsided this trade seems on paper…