The Fifth Liners

Once more life in Raleigh, NC is a dull and barren affair! Again the Carolina Hurricanes failed to add more proof that their cup win in 2006 was little more than a fluke. About the only interesting activity that fluttered around PNC Arena was the persistent trade rumors surrounding aging star, Eric Staal. Sadly Staal decided to keep underwhelming himself in Carolina and the wheel kept on spinning backwards. Misfiring at both ends, the Hurricanes limped home 14th overall in the Eastern Conference. Sporting the 3rd worst goal difference with only 188 goals against. There sparks of life such as the form of young gun Justin Faulk and Elias Lindholm . Eric Staal as per usual was top scorer- but who exactly is his competition these days. Cam Ward in net continued to be one of the few good elements of a bad team. But his GAA of 2.40 is a little alarming. In front of him his defense saw a whopping 226 goals goals against for a goal difference of -38! The Hurricanes are a team who these...

Last night in the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre, Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf found out why you never pick on one of the Staal Brothers. After a questionable hit on Jordan Staal , big brother and fellow captain Eric Staal decided to stick up for his brother and drop the gloves! Though Princess Dion would have the upper hand physically, it was Eric would have the last laugh as late in the third with an empty net at his mercy- he ripped the shot through Phaneuf's legs to seal a 4-1 win! Revenge is a dish best served ice cold!

The trade rumour mill has been grinding vigorously of late and one name that has been at the centre is that of Carolina Hurricanes captain, Eric Staal .  Word has been that Staal would be happy to waive his no trade cause and join the Toronto Maple Leafs instead. At 30 years old and with only one year left on his contract, this would certainly help lift $8 million off the Hurricanes salary cap. But the real question is, what would be the long term effect of letting one of their stars leave? Ever since their remarkable run to the 2006 Stanley Cup win, the Hurricanes have struggled to be any where near competitive and Raleigh, North Carolina is unlikely to see another cup banner raised any time soon. Eric Staal since being a second overall pick in 2003 has been a solid player for them over the years. His 690 points from just 770 NHL games reads very well, but his plus/minus figures have been consistently dropping recently. Last season amidst a lengthy knee injury, Sta...