Staal Contract Extension Now The Canes' Priority

After a series of free agent signings and a blockbuster trade, the Carolina Hurricanes now have a very clear and present priority: signing their franchise player.

Eric Staal has one year remaining on his contract, and the Canes would (make that need) to ensure that he’s not going anywhere else any time soon.

“That would probably be on top of our list (of priorities) at any time,” says Hurricanes President and General Manager Jim Rutherford.

Staal is the Canes’ best player. You can argue for Rod Brind’Amour, but Staal is more than a decade younger. And locking your best player down with a long-term contract, especially when that player is still only twenty-three years old, is as close to a no-brainer as a decision can be.

“We know he’s our franchise player,” says Rutherford. “We want to do what’s right for him and what’s right for us.

But now it’s even more important. Staal is the face of a rapidly evolving franchise. He represents a potentially long-term link to the Canes’ ultimate achievement – a Stanley Cup.

Glen Wesley has retired. Bret Hedican is leaving. Cory Stillman, Mike Commodore and Aaron Ward are already gone.

And now Erik Cole has been traded.

The Canes of ’06 – the ones with their names on the Stanley Cup -- are slowly going their separate ways.

Against that backdrop, the Canes absolutely have to work out a deal to keep their franchise player in town for some time to come.

Staal is set to make $5 million next year. A contract extension will be at least that expensive per season.

Marc-Andre Fleury, the Penguins goaltender drafted one spot ahead of Staal in the 2003 NHL Draft, just signed a seven-year extension worth $35 million. Staal may command even more money.

Time to get out the checkbook, Mr. Karmanos.