Hypothetical analysis explores Penguins' future with Jordan Staal
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 11, 2026, 10:00 AM
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
A recent discussion explores how the Pittsburgh Penguins might have evolved had they retained Jordan Staal, who was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2012. Staal rejected a 10-year contract offer from Pittsburgh, leading to the trade occurring on his wedding night. The analysis considers the financial implications of Staal's potential contract on the Penguins' roster and their overall success between 2013 and 2018. Major figures like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin would have also faced salary cap implications had Staal remained with the team. The discussion emphasizes the complexities of roster management within the constraints of the NHL salary cap during that era.
- •Jordan Staal was traded to Carolina in 2012 after declining a contract.
- •Staal's potential cap hit would have significantly impacted team finances.
- •Crosby and Malkin's contracts would complicate Penguins' roster decisions.
- •Staal's presence might have altered key acquisitions like Brendan Morrow.
- •The analysis reflects on team dynamics during the 2013-2018 seasons.
- 10:00 AMYahoo Sports — What would the Penguins have looked like if they could have kept Jordan Staal?
"In hockey, as in life, the game of what if’s can go just about any direction possible. By now the story about the end of Jordan Staal’s stint with the Penguins is fairly famous since it gets repeated just about nightly on national hockey telecasts. Which, hey, why not, since it is such a colorful […]
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- AHL•Jun 11, 2026, 11:04 AM2025-26 Season in Review: Harrison Brunicke
- NHL•Jun 11, 2026, 11:00 AMHabs Daily: Engstrom Potential, Newhook Player Grade, Zharovsky
- AHL•Jun 11, 2026, 8:00 AMWhere to watch Calder Cup Finals 2026: Schedule, times, channels, live streams, scores for AHL hockey series
- NHL•Jun 11, 2026, 8:00 AMHurricanes vs. Golden Knights: Stanley Cup Final, Game 5 – Lines, Notes, Goalies, and How to Watch
- NHL•Jun 11, 2026, 4:51 AMSJHN Daily: Prospects Scrimmage on July 2, PWHL San Jose Signs Hartmetz, Randy Hahn Beer Coming?
- NHL•Jun 11, 2026, 4:12 AMFans welcome Hurricanes home ahead of Game 5
