Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal does not intend to sign a contract extension until the end of his contract, which will end in the summer of 2023.
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The 33-year-old veteran, who signed a 10-year, $60 million pact on July 1, 2012, spoke to this on Wednesday. Recall that Staal had been acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins a few days before signing his contract through a transaction reuniting him with his brother Eric; the latter was sent to the New York Rangers at the end of February 2016. Although his team has been on vacation since Monday, he has no intention of discussing financial issues with the organization these days.
“Obviously it was a great run. I certainly came here to play with Eric and really be part of the Carolina Hurricanes. And I came to win. [...] There were ups and downs. Currently, it's fun with the players we have on the ice, he commented to the site NHL.com. I will complete this contract. Eleven years here, it was very special. I will pass the next one and hope that it will end in force. We'll see then."
No rush
The one who wears the letter “C” on his jersey nevertheless wanted to be reassuring with regard to Hurricanes supporters, hoping for his presence in the medium and long term.
"It's always good to be here. I wanted to be part of the solution and I felt I could be. After having lived through difficult times, it is gratifying to have seen everything take shape and the team to be built like this, he explained. I am a member of the formation and this is my current state of mind. I don't think a contract extension this summer will change that. I have a year left and I am enthusiastic about the situation of the club. I will decide then, after the next year.”
Staal has 611 points, or 258 goals and 353 assists, in 1,092 career regular season games in the National League. He lifted the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009. Last season, he had 36 points, including 17 goals, in 78 outings.
