Hurricanes Staal Leaves Game, Will Not Return

Jordan Staal suffered an upper-body-injury during the first period of Carolina’s game this evening against Florida and it has since been announced by the team – via Twitter – that he will not return. Michael Smith, who is a contributor on the team’s website, added that Staal did not see a shift in the final seven minutes of the frame.

Staal is currently tied for third on the team in goals with five and his nine points rank sixth. He leads all Carolina forwards in average ice time, seeing 19:15 a night. The 28-year-old center has seven years remaining on what was originally a 10-year, $60MM contract in Carolina. The $6MM AAV makes Staal the Hurricanes highest-paid player.

More to come as details emerge.