Eric Staal returns to Carolina, writes for Player's Tribune

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

Eric Staal has done plenty for the state of North Carolina.

He won the team a Stanley Cup in 2006, but now, he's no longer part of that great city.

The day before the 2016 trade deadline, Staal was traded to the New York Rangers, leaving behind the memories he had in Carolina.

Staal recently wrote for the Player's Tribune about returning to Carolina on Thursday to play his former team.

Here is a snippet from the article.

"I’ve been around the organization long enough to know that it’s in good hands. It’s led by smart people and has a lot of young talent that I think will bring a new wave of success.

As we go our separate ways, I want to express nothing but gratitude to the Carolina Hurricanes for everything they’ve done for me. From the fans to the players to people working in the meal room, thank you so much.

I may play for New York now, but Carolina is always going to feel like home."

Eric Staal traded to Rangers

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

Eric Staal has been traded to the New York Rangers and will join his brother Marc Staal on the team.

The Rangers gave the Hurricanes two second-round picks and prospect Aleksi Saarela.

Eric Staal and Cam Ward trades/waivers will have to wait, both in Hurricanes lineup on Sunday

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

Any trades involving Cam Ward and Eric Staal may have to wait until after the Carolina Hurricanes' afternoon game against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

Both players are free agents at the end of the season and they both have been involved in many trade and waiver rumors. But the fact that they are in the Hurricanes lineup for Sunday means that most likely a trade or a placing on waivers would be logical on Monday before the trade deadline at 3pm ET, or at least after the Hurricanes game on Sunday.

The only problem with Ward in this case is that his contract is a no trade clause, but the possibility of the Hurricanes placing Ward on waivers is a possibility.