Carolina Hurricanes
Jordan Staal Suffers “Freak Injury” In Pre-Game Skate, Out 1-2 Months
Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal will miss 1-2 months with a torn calf muscle, coach Rod Brind’Amour confirmed Tuesday.
The Carolina Hurricanes will be without captain Jordan Staal for a significant stretch after the veteran center suffered a torn calf muscle before Sunday’s game in Philadelphia. The team announced Tuesday that the reigning Conn Smythe winner will be out long-term.
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour revealed the news Tuesday following the team’s pregame skate. Staal, who missed Sunday’s win over the Flyers with what was initially called a lower-body injury, is expected to be out “anywhere from a month to two months.”
Brind’Amour called the injury a “freak thing” that happened sometime in the lead-up to the game. “Unfortunately, he got a little tear in his calf, so it’s going to be a long-term injury,” he said. “So not good news there, but we’ve had a lot of injuries over the years, and we’re just going to have to keep figuring it out.”
The timing is a tough break for Carolina. Staal was the playoff MVP during the team’s Stanley Cup run last season, and his play at both ends of the ice has been central to the Hurricanes’ identity. As captain, he is also a key voice in the dressing room.
Hurricanes Will Have to Battle Through
Brind’Amour’s response suggests the team is not about to throw in the towel because their captain and leader is out. Carolina has dealt with its share of injuries in recent years, and the coaching staff will now need to shuffle its center depth and find ways to replace Staal’s minutes, including his defensive responsibilities and work in key situations.
The team has not given a firm return date, and the one-to-two-month window leaves room for the injury to be more or less serious than expected.
For now, the Hurricanes will lean on their depth and the next-man-up approach Brind’Amour referenced as they try to stay near the top of the standings without their captain.
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