The Pittsburgh Penguins and GM Jim Rutherford are reportedly looking to reunite with a former Pens first-round draft pick who helped the team to a 2009 Stanley Cup victory.
"The Penguins are interested in reacquiring center Jordan Staal, sources told the Tribune-Review," writes Josh Yohe of Trib Live.
"A move likely would not take place until after the season, though the Penguins have inquired about what it would take to obtain the Carolina Hurricane before the March 2 trade deadline, sources said."
Staal was shipped out of Pittsburgh after the 2011-12 NHL season in order to play alongside his brother, Eric, in Carolina, but with the Hurricanes struggling to stay competitive, both Staals could be on the move.
As Yohe notes, reacquiring Staal would necessitate a significant amount of cap massaging and/or maneuvering by Rutherford - the Penguins are currently less than $1 million under the $69 million NHL salary cap.
The 26-year-old Staal is in year three of a 10-year, $60 million deal signed in the wake of his trade to Carolina.
Staal, per Yohe, "has a full no-trade clause in his contract, but sources close to Staal said he would forgo that if it meant returning to the Penguins."
In six seasons with the Pens, Staal gathering 120 goals and 248 points in 431 games.
Staal broke his leg in a preseason game this year and has managed to appear in only 21 games, amassing three goals and 11 assists.
In three seasons in Carolina, Staal has 28 goals and 85 points in 151 games.
