VIDEO: Hurricanes salute departed captain Eric Staal

The Carolina Hurricanes seem to agree with the saying: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

The club feted its former captain Eric Staal before facing off against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, shortly after Staal was traded to the New York Rangers in a blockbuster deal.

Staal leaves the club after 12 seasons and 909 regular-season games. He departs as the franchise's leader (based on its time in Carolina) in games played, goals (322), assists (453), points (775), hat tricks (13), power-play goals (105), shorthanded goals (16), and game-winning goals (47). He represented the Hurricanes in four All-Star Games and brought home a title in 2006.

That's a legacy, alright.

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Rangers GM hopes trade re-energizes Staal, says Yandle won’t be traded

New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton met with the media after pulling off a massive trade Sunday, acquiring Eric Staal from the Carolina Hurricanes for two draft picks and a prospect.

Gorton's most important messages: The Rangers may not be done adding ahead of Monday's trade deadline, and defenseman Keith Yandle - and his expiring contract - will not be traded.

"We're looking at a player we think can be energized by this trade," Gorton said about Staal. "We see the numbers. We scouted him a lot. (I) think this really helps our top nine, center, wing, (and) power play. I think it's a pretty exciting time for our team. I think they'll be energized."

Gorton wouldn't talk about Staal's future, and whether he may be a Ranger next season and beyond.

"He's a Ranger for today and we'll see what happens," he said. "We felt like he was one of the - if not the - best available players on the market. To have Marc (Staal) here had to have helped, (Eric) would've known what it's like to play in New York."

It's the second straight season the Rangers have made a splash around the trade deadline. Last year it was made by acquiring Yandle, and Gorton was explicit about the defender's future.

"We're not trading him."

Gorton added that the Rangers could still add to their roster - if necessary, and if the price is right.

"We have enough (cap) room to add a small salary player if we wanted to," he said.

Make no mistake: The Rangers are all-in.

- With H/T to Steve Zipay, Pat Leonard, and Andrew Gross.

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VIDEO: Panthers’ Montoya exits game after collision with Wild’s Scandella

Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo was forced into action Sunday after Al Montoya was on the receiving end of a violent first-period collision with Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella.

The 31-year-old remained on the ice for several moments before exiting with help from the trainer. It's the second time this season Luongo has been forced into action following an injury to Montoya.

Scandella was assessed a minor penalty on the play despite appearing to be shoved into the goalie by Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

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Blackhawks edge Capitals in potential Stanley Cup preview

The Chicago Blackhawks made a big statement against the Washington Capitals in a potential Stanley Cup preview Sunday afternoon.

Dennis Rasmussen scored the game-winner as the Blackhawks regained top spot in the Western Conference with a 3-2 victory over the league-leading Capitals.

Andrew Ladd picked up an assist in his first game since returning to Chicago when Jonathan Toews buried a go-ahead goal off a nice feed from Teuvo Teravainen on the power-play earlier in the game.

Patrick Kane also scored in the win, while Corey Crawford outplayed Braden Holtby at the other end making 28 saves to help the Blackhawks snap a two-game losing skid.

With the victory, Chicago overtook the Dallas Stars for top spot in the Central Division with 83 points, and sit 11 points back of Washington in the Presidents' Trophy race. The Blackhawks will head to Detroit for an Original Six matchup versus the Red Wings on Wednesday.

Marcus Johansson and Evgeny Kuznetsov scored for the Capitals, who'll look to get back on track Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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Hurricanes Trade Eric Staal to New York Rangers.

The Carolina Hurricanes have traded center Eric Staal to the New York Rangers for two second picks and prospect Aleksi Saarela.   SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes also reportedly agreed to pick up half of Staal’s remaining salary. The picks are a second in 2016 and in 2017. Several weeks of speculation linking Staal to the Rangers […]

Report: Hurricanes trade Eric Staal to Rangers

It's the end of an era.

The Carolina Hurricanes have reportedly traded their captain Eric Staal to the New York Rangers, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

Staal has waived his no-movement clause, according to McKenzie, who adds that the believed return is two second-round picks and Finnish prospect Aleksi Saarela.

The Hurricanes will retain 50 percent of Staal's remaining salary, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Staal's on an expiring contract, earning $9.5 million in salary and carrying a cap hit of $8.25 million. He's owed over $1.8 million over the rest of the season, according to NHL Numbers.

More to come.

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On the Fly, NHL Roundtable: Grading Saturday’s 4 big trades

On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues. We're handing out grades after a flurry of action Saturday on the trade market.

Reimer to Sharks

Navin Vaswani: The Toronto Maple Leafs traded goaltender James Reimer and forward Jeremy Morin to the San Jose Sharks for goalie Alex Stalock, forward Ben Smith, and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2018.

Maple Leafs Grade: C-

Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello said there wasn't much of a market for a rental goalie among playoff teams, and while he certainly knows better than I do, this is a disappointing return for the best goalie Toronto's employed in a decade. Stalock and Smith aren't in Toronto's future plans, and the pick turns into a third-rounder if San Jose makes the Stanley Cup Final - which isn't happening. In the end, a fourth-round pick is better than nothing, as Toronto continues to stockpile assets. However, that doesn't make the return any less disappointing.

Sharks Grade: B+

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson did all of his shopping with the Maple Leafs, which is a bit disturbing if you're a San Jose supporter (Roman Polak and Nick Spaling were acquired on Feb. 22). But he did well, especially in adding Reimer, giving his club valuable insurance behind No. 1 goalie Martin Jones, who has never started a playoff game. The Sharks appear to be a lock to make the postseason in the Pacific, and once they get there, anything can happen. Ask Reimer.

Hudler heads to Florida

Mark Millard: The Calgary Flames traded forward Jiri Hudler to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a second-round pick in 2016, and a fourth-round pick in 2018.

Flames Grade: B-

Flames general manager Brad Treliving made it perfectly clear his team is officially open for business after trading Hudler to the Panthers. Calgary certainly comprehends it must emulate the Maple Leafs and stockpile as many draft picks as possible in the coming seasons, and it did just that with this deal. Hudler - a 32-year-old pending unrestricted free agent - has certainly regressed this season after a career-high 76-point campaign in 2014-15, but he can still produce in a top-six role. It was difficult to imagine the Flames receiving much more than a second-round pick given the rental market, so adding a pair of picks is a good start with defenseman Kris Russell expected to fetch an even bigger return by Monday's deadline.

Panthers Grade: B+

Panthers general manager Dale Tallon was a man on a mission Saturday, making three consecutive trades, highlighted by the addition of Hudler. With the Eastern Conference - Washington Capitals aside - being fairly up for grabs, it certainly makes sense for the Panthers to make short-term adds without sacrificing their long-term plans. Tallon did that in acquiring a consistent 50-point player without giving up any young pieces or roster players in return. Given Hudler's international chemistry with country-mate Jaromir Jagr, he should be a solid veteran compliment to a young team with much to learn. However, the Panthers still haven't addressed their significant weakness on the left side.

Panthers nab Purcell

Vaswani: The Panthers traded a 2016 3rd-round pick to the Edmonton Oilers for Teddy Purcell.

Oilers Grade: B

Everyone knew the Oilers were selling, so to add a third-round pick for an ageing 30-year-old scorer who is owed another million for the rest of the season is a rather decent return. Purcell's only scored 20 or more once in his career, and clearly wasn't in the ever-rebuilding Oilers' future plans. General manager Peter Chiarelli did good, knowing the Panthers didn't want to part with any of their prospects.

Panthers Grade: B

Tallon gets a "B," too, for sticking to his guns and keeping his upstart club intact. Florida's a great mix of young and old, and Purcell brings playoff experience - he had 17 points in 18 games during the Tampa Bay Lightning's run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2011. The Panthers wanted to add help on the wing, and instead of getting the big fish in Andrew Ladd and parting with valuable prospect capital, they got the help they needed in a couple of bodies while ensuring they'll remain competitive for years to come. Enjoy the postseason, Miami. It's actually happening.

Schultz gets his wings in Pittsburgh

Millard: The Oilers traded defenseman Justin Schultz to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a third-round pick in 2016.

Oilers Grade: C

The Oilers were definitely in a very tough spot with Schultz. The once highly touted prospect found himself playing the worst hockey of his career, and there was quite simply no getting away from it in Edmonton. Chiarelli did just about as well as he could have hoped in landing a third-round pick for Schultz, essentially making it a housekeeping move that provides an additional trade chip in the offseason. However, it remains a significantly low return for a player who could certainly turn things around with a change of scenery.

Penguins Grade: B

Given the way Schultz has played over the past two seasons, it's very difficult to envision him suddenly becoming a game-changing defenseman in Pittsburgh. But the 25-year-old is still equipped with upside, and a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs. Considering the very small price it required to land him, and the fact that he remains under control as a restricted free agent likely due for a very small extension in the summer, Pittsburgh did very well in making a low-risk move to land a player with potential long-term game - if he can figure it out. Allowing Sergei Gonchar to mentor Schultz from the get-go is certainly a step in the right direction.

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Report: Kings still looking to add forward, D-man

The Los Angeles Kings weren't able to land Teddy Purcell and Justin Schultz from the Edmonton Oilers, so they're still shopping ahead of the trade deadline.

The two clubs were thought to be inching toward a deal Saturday, but talks fell apart, the Oilers instead sending Purcell to the Florida Panthers and Schultz to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

TSN's Darren Dreger reports the Kings remain in the market for a forward and a defenseman, but adds that L.A. "doesn't seem keen on (Mikkel) Boedker."

The Arizona Coyotes' Boedker is probably the second-best winger available after Loui Eriksson, but a trade could be difficult to make since the clubs are Pacific Division rivals.

Boedker's playing out the final season of a contract paying him $3.75 million, and has 39 points (13 goals) in 62 games.

The Kings are the class of the Pacific, and have won four in a row. They're four points up on the Anaheim Ducks, who have a game in hand. L.A. also boasts the division's best goal differential at plus-24, which is second-best in the Western Conference.

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