'Challenging' for Eric Staal nearing deadline: report

Forward Eric Staal, who has played all 889 games of his NHL career with the Carolina Hurricanes, is facing an uncertain future as the NHL Trade Deadline on Feb. 29 approaches.

Staal, 31, is in the final year of a seven-year, $57.75 million contract and can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Though he has a full no-trade clause, he's in limbo with the Hurricanes, who are two points out of a Stanley Cup Playoff position in the Eastern Conference after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in overtime Tuesday.

"It's been more challenging than I thought it would be, but I'm doing my best," Staal told the Raleigh News & Observer. "Doing my best to contribute and try and help this team win and play hard. I have a family."

Staal is second on the Hurricanes with 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 43 games. His brother, Jordan Staal, has been in Carolina since he was traded to the Hurricanes by the Penguins on June 22, 2010. He also has a full no-trade clause.

"There's things you think about," Eric said. "My brother's playing here. There are a lot of different things you think about. You try not to worry about it too much, and play, and hopefully we can get on a little bit of a run here and go from there and let it sort itself out. We'll see what happens."

Staal said he likes the direction of the Hurricanes under coach Bill Peters and their future with young defensemen Justin Faulk and Noah Hanifin. Staal said he also realizes he could be elsewhere if Carolina can't make a move up the Eastern Conference standings.

"Any normal guy would like to not worry about it, especially just the way life goes. At the same time, there's nothing more I can do," Staal said. "I just have to play. We have to win. We'll go from there. We'll see what happens. I like this group. I like these kids on [defense]. They're legit. We can build going forward. They've done a good job, [general manager Ron Francis and Peters]. This is near where they've been trying to get to, and we still have to get there."

Staal has played 12 seasons with Carolina since debuting on Oct. 9, 2003. He has been in the playoffs twice, winning the Stanley Cup in 2006 and last qualifying following the 2008-09 season.

He said in November he would like to re-sign with the Hurricanes.