Will Eric Staal provide some brotherly love?

In case you're wondering, Eric Staal has indeed received that text message from younger brother, Marc.

"Yeah, he hit me with a text today saying that if I picked him first overall, it would be historic," Eric Staal admitted.

The question remains, however, is the Carolina Hurricanes forward willing to make a little history by choosing the New York Rangers defenseman.

We'll find out on Friday (8 p.m. ET, TSN/VERSUS) when the NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft powered by Cisco is staged at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Eric Staal, the captain for Team Staal, will be aided by Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks and Mike Green of the Washington Capitals during the 18-round draft of 36 players to determine sides for the NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover. Nicklas Lidstrom, meanwhile, will captain Team Lidstrom along with assistants Martin St. Louis and Patrick Kane.

"Really, I think Marc is just being a bit of a goof," Eric Staal said. "I really haven't been too stressed about this. I don't think you could go wrong with anyone here; you get an elite player for your team no matter what. I'll just let it fly."

Still, Staal's mother, Carol, has been attempting to figure out if he has any intentions of choosing his brother.

"There's been a little pressure from mom but dad hasn't said too much," Eric Staal said. "They've watched us play against each other during the year so I think she' drather us be on the same team. There's not a lot of slashing in an All-Star Game, so I won't have to protect myself too much.  You never know though. If he was on the other team, he might do it anyway, so it's probably wise to have him on my team."

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