DePaoli: Why the Jordan Staal situation is still evolving leading into Friday & the Latest NHL Rumblings

Despite Penguins GM Ray Shero publicly saying he’s not trading Jordan Staal, the situation is still evolving leading into the NHL Draft this weekend.

GM Ray Shero and agent Paul Krepelka intend to meet in person for the first time this off-season prior to round 1 on Friday, and I was told tonight that Krepelka will not try to push for a trade (Staal’s camp will never ask for a trade) but also won’t be giving any indication what’s so ever to Shero that Staal is prepared to commit to the Penguins on a long-term deal. Will this meeting have any impact on the Pens plans not to move Staal?

Talk around the league is that the Penguins continue to listen to inquiries and expect at least one serious offer to be made by Friday evening.

The Carolina Hurricanes remain the most likely team to aggressively pursue Staal and have made it known to Pittsburgh they are willing to move their first rounder, the No. 8 overall pick as part of a potential package for Staal. Carolina, Minnesota, Toronto, Nashville, New York Rangers, Anaheim and Dallas are among multiple teams to call about Staal, although many of those teams like Toronto, Dallas and Anaheim are said to have just made minor inquiries to this point.

Some league contacts believe a deal between Pittsburgh and Carolina will eventually get done this summer but not this weekend or before July 1.

Some chatter from a few NHL insiders:

— TSN’s Darren Dreger reported today that the Hurricanes will make a “hard pull” for Jordan Staal and have “lines in the water” with Pittsburgh and Columbus about Staal and Rick Nash.

— ESPN’s Pierre LeBrunwith some more rumblings on the Hurricanes, reporting Justin Faulk is untouchable: “I reported a few weeks ago that the Carolina Hurricanes were keen on Pittsburgh’s Jordan Staal, and it doesn’t end there. The Hurricanes have also shown interest in Nash. They can’t do both, but they certainly have interest in dealing for one or the other. Both the Penguins and Blue Jackets are aware that Carolina is willing to move its No. 8 pick in Friday’s first round of the draft in any deal. But contrary to some speculation that’s out there, there is zero chance the Hurricanes include Justin Faulk in any trade. Carolina views him as a franchise blueliner in the making, and he’s just not available. Period, ” LeBrun writes.

— Predators defenseman Ryan Suter will, as expected, hit the open market and see what’s out there. Many expect Zach Parise to do the same.

— The Anaheim Ducks have gone back and forth about trading right winger Bobby Ryan but according to TSN.CA, Ryan is available again. Ryan, 25, has three years remaining on his deal with a $5.1 million cap hit. The Sabres, Rangers, Maple Leafs and Hurricanes were among the aggressive suitors for Ryan last season. Ryan had 31 goals last season and has posted four straight 30-goal seasons. He will be highly coveted.