Hurricanes captain Staal misses game with lower-body issue
Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal missed Sunday's road win over the Philadelphia Flyers because of a lower-body injury. Coach Rod Brind'Amour said the issue arose shortly before the game and expressed hope it would not keep Staal out long. Mark Jankowski took Staal's spot on the third line and scored in the third period.
Jordan Staal, Carolina's captain and center, sat out Sunday's road victory in Philadelphia because of a lower-body concern. Coach Rod Brind'Amour said it surfaced just before puck drop and hoped it would be brief. Staal, the Conn Smythe winner last June after Carolina's second Stanley Cup, had no points in six games this season.
Mark Jankowski took Staal's third-line role alongside Nikolaj Ehlers and Jordan Martinook, then scored in the third. Carolina has won five straight after an 0-1-1 start. Staal is in the last season of a four-year contract with a $2.975 million cap charge; he signed an added one-year deal covering 2027-28.
Staal's absence could affect the Hurricanes' on-ice balance and leadership, giving teammates larger roles and altering fan expectations during a strong start. If the injury lingers, supporters and the Raleigh community may feel added uncertainty around a championship roster, while opponents could see a temporary competitive opening. The team's cautious handling may also shape how fans view player safety and workload management in professional hockey.