Carolina’s Jordan Staal sidelined one to two months with calf tear
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said Jordan Staal will miss one to two months because of a torn calf. The injury occurred during warmups before Carolina's 4-1 win over Philadelphia on Sunday. Staal, 38, has no points in six games this season and recently signed a one-year extension through 2027-28.
Carolina captain Jordan Staal, 38, is expected to miss one to two months after tearing a calf during pregame warmups Sunday. The Hurricanes beat Philadelphia 4-1 that day. Staal has not recorded a point in six appearances this season.
Staal is in his 15th Carolina season and ninth as captain. The Thunder Bay native won the 2009 Cup with Pittsburgh, was drafted second overall in 2006, and earned playoff MVP honors after Carolina's title. He has 499 points in 978 Hurricanes regular-season games and is signed through 2027-28.
Staal’s absence could affect Carolina’s leadership and lineup, giving teammates larger roles and possibly altering the team’s early-season results. Fans may feel concern for a longtime captain, while local media and game attendance could reflect shifting expectations. More broadly, the injury may add to ongoing discussion about veteran player workload and injury risk, though its societal impact is likely limited to the hockey community and Hurricanes supporters.