Quick thoughts on the big deal...
I like aggressive.
I like trying to win now. The team needs to.
And I like Jordan Staal as a solid 2-way proven NHL center with size.
The price is huge giving up Brandon Sutter who is a legit top-end NHL checking line center plus 2 top-end prospects.
The dreamer in me hoped that the Canes could put together a big enough package of futures that we could slot Brandon Sutter at the 2nd or 3rd center slot. But to get a player like Jordan Staal, you can't just throw together a random package of picks, prospects and role players.
I think the elephant in the room is whether the basics of a deal are already in place to make Staal 2 a long-term addition as technically he could be 1 and done for a big trade price.
The other burning question is what this means for the lineup. If you move Eric to wing and build a true 1st line with Jordan and Eric, you can put together a decent 2nd line with something like Jokinen, Ruutu and Skinner. But the big hole created is the 3rd center position. The need for a 3rd center plus the need to fill out the blue line are the 2 big needs that probably carry forward to the July 1 free agent frenzy.
Finally, best of luck to Brandon Sutter and thanks for your time in Raleigh. He is a class act, and I wish him nothing but the best (except against the Canes) in Pittsburgh.
Camp is still a few months away, but it's time to start thinking Canes hockey!
Go Canes!
Carolina Hurricanes Blogger • 
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