Staal Focused On 'Two More Strong Years' With Canes

RALEIGH, N.C. - Deadlines spur action.

That much proved to be true once again on Tuesday night as the Carolina Hurricanes conducted some literal 11th-hour business ahead of the league's new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) taking effect.

As teams around the league hammered away at finalizing business before the new set of contract rules began, for the defending Stanley Cup Champions, it was a somewhat out-of-left-field one-year extension for team captain Jordan Staal.

Turning 38 last week, the longest-tenured Hurricane had one more year remaining on a four-year extension signed back in 2023, but after putting on the performance of a lifetime and taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy in June, the two sides agreed to keep the franchise pillar in place through the 2027-28 season.

"I wanted to keep playing with these guys. I've had so much fun with this group and everything we've built here," Staal said when he met with the media following Thursday's first skate of camp.

"When I won in Pittsburgh, all I could think about was wanting to win again, and when you win it a second time, you want to win it again. It's all I'm focused on now: being the best I can be for this group and chip in any way I can. I'm going to do that for two more strong years."

Staal's herculean six-game stint in the Stanley Cup Final exceeded any expectations. However, the 12-day run that included six goals in as many outings and an all-time best 68% faceoff win percentage was simply a microcosm of his season as a whole.

Posting a 20-goal campaign for the first time since 2015-16, the Thunder Bay, Ontario product played some of his best hockey in years and is being taken care of for it.

"I enjoy what I'm doing, and I'm having fun, for sure. I feel good," Staal continued of his reasoning for accepting the extension. "I've been fortunate enough to stay healthy and (am) able to push my body to where I can contribute and be a part of this group. Until one of those things gives out, or I decide to call it quits, I'm going to keep pushing and keep enjoying this game I love."

Rod Brind'Amour's trusted right-handed man within the locker room is set to enter his 15th season in Raleigh and his 21st year in the league. Already the organization's leader in games played (972), he is one of just 46 players in league history to amass 1,400 NHL contests.

"It's a fun place to play, for one. Being able to play for Roddy is a dream. And then, two, this group that we have is so talented and hardworking and easy to be around," Staal lovingly spoke of both the city and his teammates. "It's easy to be a part of the leadership group with this group. You know what you're going to get when you're looking around the room. You know how hard these guys work and how hard they push each other. It makes all those decisions a lot easier to continue to play."

Cashing in a cool $4 million signing bonus as part of his 2027-28 deal — the reason why the deal had to be processed before 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday (under the new CBA, only up to 60% of a player's compensation can be via signing bonus, whereas under the previous iteration there was no limit) — the organization was happy to reward its locker room culture carrier.

“Jordan is not only our captain, he’s the bedrock of the culture we’ve established in this organization,” General Manager Eric Tulsky said via the team's press release. “His leadership and on-ice performance throughout last season and especially in the playoffs was a primary factor in bringing the Stanley Cup back to Raleigh.”

In lockstep, the bench boss sang similar praises.

"It's huge. It's a great addition, adding on for him," Brind'Amour answered when asked about the extension. "There's a little comfort there, for our coaching staff, for sure. He's our leader. So we'll take that as long as we can get it."