Staal not seeking contract extension with Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Jordan Staal will not seek an extension with the Carolina Hurricanes ahead of the final season of his contract.

"I'm going to ride out this contract," Staal said. "Eleven years is a long time here, and it's been special. I'm going to ride it out next year and hopefully finish with a bang and go from there."
The center has one season remaining on a 10-year, $60 million contract ($6 million annual average) he signed on July 1, 2012.
Staal was acquired by the Hurricanes in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins on June 22, 2012, for the No. 8 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, center Brandon Sutter and defenseman Brian Dumoulin. The trade united him with his brother, Eric, who he played with until Eric was traded to the New York Rangers on Feb. 28, 2016.
"It's been a great ride obviously," Staal said. "I came down here obviously to play with Eric and really be a part of the Carolina Hurricanes club, and (I) came down here to win. It's been a ride. Obviously, a lot of ups and downs. As of right now, it's been a lot of fun on the ice and the players we have. It's been a blast."
The Hurricanes missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Staal's first six seasons but have qualified for the postseason in each of the past four. They lost 6-2 to the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Second Round on Monday.
"It's great to still be here, obviously," Staal said. "I wanted to be part of the solution. I felt like I could be. It is rewarding in that regard, going through hard times and really seeing everything take shape and the team we've built."
Staal served as co-captain of the Hurricanes in 2017-18 and has been captain since the 2019-20 season. He suggested his reluctance to sign a contract extension had nothing to do with wanting to test the free-agent market.
"No, I'm a Carolina Hurricane, and that's where my mind is at right now," he said. "I don't think extending this summer is going to change any of that. I still have a full year left, and I'm excited about it and where this team is going. I think decision-making will be after that, after the next season."
The 33-year-old has 611 points (258 goals, 353 assists) in 1,092 regular-season games with the Penguins and Hurricanes. He also has 60 points (33 goals, 27 assists) in 121 playoff games, including helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2009.
This season, Staal had 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) in 78 regular-season games and six points (one goal, five assists) in 14 playoff games.

Frederik Andersen, who did not play in the postseason because of a torn MCL he sustained on April 16, said he likely would have been available if the Hurricanes had advanced to the Eastern Conference Final.
"I was getting real close," he said. "Obviously, that adds to the bitterness and frustration about losing. Very disappointing not to play and being that close."
Andersen was 35-14-3 with a 2.17 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and four shutouts in 52 games this season.
"I was keeping up with all the rehab and trying to get back as soon as possible," Andersen said. "It's an injury that's really tough on goalies given the positions we're in. I've never had this exact injury before, so I don't know what the exact time frame was."
Andersen and Antti Raanta combined to win the William M. Jennings Trophy, presented annually to the goaltenders having played at least 25 games for the team allowing the fewest goals.
"It was nice to be able to get back to the level I can play at," he said. "Just to be part of a really good team, I think, was really a great time this year until the injury."