PITTSBURGH — Jordan Staal wanted a family reunion, and the Penguins obliged.
Pittsburgh traded the talented center to the Hurricanes for two players and Carolina’s first-round pick in the NHL Draft, held in Pittsburgh last night.
The 23-year-old Staal helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2009 but reportedly balked at signing a contract extension. Staal has one season left on his current four-year deal. Rather than continue negotiating, the Penguins shipped him to the Hurricanes, where Staal will join brother Eric. Carolina also has Jared Staal — currently playing in the American Hockey League.
Pittsburgh received center Brandon Sutter and defenseman Brian Dumoulin in the deal as well as Carolina’s eighth-overall pick in the draft, which the Penguins used to select defenseman Derrick Pouliot.
The move came shortly after the Capitals dealt a second-round pick and center Cody Eakin to the Stars for center Mike Ribiero. The 32-year-old Ribiero tied for second on the Stars last season in points, scoring 18 goals to go with 45 assists in 74 games.
The Penguins weren’t done dealing. Shortly after the first round ended, they agreed to send defenseman Zbynek Michalek to the Coyotes for defenseman Harrison Ruopp, goalie Marc Cheverie, and a third-round pick.
Earlier in the day, the Flyers shipped backup goalie Sergei Bobrovsky to the Blue Jackets for three draft picks — a second-rounder and fourth-rounder in this draft and a fourth-rounder next year.