Captain Jordan Staal returned for the Carolina Hurricanes against the Seattle Kraken at Veikkaus Arena on Saturday.
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Jordan Staal returned to the Carolina Hurricanes lineup for their 2026 NHL Global Series Finland finale against the Seattle Kraken at Veikkaus Arena on Saturday.
Staal, 38, had been sidelined after getting injured during a morning skate on Oct. 10, and he missed the previous 14 games with a calf injury. The Hurricanes captain practiced twice in Finland and played on special teams during Friday’s action.
In Carolina’s 5-1 victory, Staal recorded 9-for-12 in the face-off circle, while also taking one shot on goal in 13:55 of ice time.
Staal said he was “excited to get back into it and get back with the fellas and get back to the grind,” adding that it had been “a long month, month-and-a-bit” before his return.
The Hurricanes’ Rod Brind’Amour said he did not “expect a ton out of him tonight,” but that Carolina “got to get him going.”
Last season, Staal won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, helping the Hurricanes win the Cup in six games against the Vegas Golden Knights. He finished the Final with 12 points in 19 games, including six of his eight goals.
Entering Saturday, Carolina held a 15-3-2 record and had the best points percentage in the NHL at .800. The team went 11-2-1 without Staal.
With Staal back in the lineup, Carolina placed defenceman Mike Reilly on waivers. Reilly has two assists and is plus-4 in eight games this season, averaging 12:26 of ice time.
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