Simple Plan: Staal Signs Seven-Year Extension

by Cory Lavalette on Sep 11, 2008 2:11 PM EDT

The Hurricanes locked up their franchise player today, inking 23-year-old center Eric Staal to a seven-year contract extension that will kick in starting in 2009-10. The deal is worth $57.75 million, an average of $8.25 million a season. He will earn $6 million in the first season of the contract, and the deal will hit its peak in 2015-16, when he will make $9.5 million.

The Canes kicked off the online streaming of the news conference with a video montage of Staal's career, from being drafted to highlights of his young, but accomplished, career, with Lynard Syknard's "Simple Man" playing in the background.

The presser had a presidential feel, with Staal — in golf-friendly attire — signing his contract next to GM Jim Rutherford and in front of the media.

Rutherford said he was "extremely happy" to get the deal done and lock up Staal long term.

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The press conference was very nice. The montage was very cool and of course funnier to see that Eric was so relieved to get this done. Good for the guy and he knows what is expected. That is what you call a man. Thanks for the hat tip guys….great job!

by Chris Wassel on Sep 11, 2008 2:27 PM EDT reply actions

After the video montage, I had no audio for the conference. Even during the montage, the audio came out only one speaker. After yesterday, where audio was great in one ear and full of static in the other, it seems either my system doesn’t like the Cane’s feed (though performs perfectly on the re-posts), or the Canes have some work to do on their live stream. Anyone else have issues?

by Chris on Sep 11, 2008 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Yep, it was a common problem Chris. I think everyone had that issue.

by Bubba on Sep 11, 2008 11:04 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, Chris … I quickly jumped on 99.9 for audio. That’s the reason I didn’t have more quotes in my post. I missed a lot of the meat and potatoes b/c of the video’s aduio being out.

by Cory on Sep 12, 2008 11:49 AM EDT reply actions