Eric Staal Reportedly Traded to New York Rangers

Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal had a no-trade clause in his contract, but that didn't stop him from finding a new home at the trade deadline.

Bob McKenzie of TSN reported Staal has waived his no-trade clause and will be traded to the New York Rangers. Darren Dreger of TSN reported the Rangers will send two second-round picks and prospect Aleksi Saarela back to Carolina.

McKenzie had reported earlier the Hurricanes were engaged in talks with the Rangers over Staal, but the Rangers were unwilling to part with the first-round pick the Hurricanes wanted in return.

"I'm not going to be crushed if a decision is made and I'm moving on," Staal had said on Feb. 18, per TSN1200's Ian Mendes.

Staal remained loyal to the franchise that drafted him No. 2 overall in the 2003 NHL draft, spending his entire career in Carolina.

After posting 100 points in his second season and helping the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup triumph, Staal has never reached those heights again. He's been back to the playoffs only once and has seen the Hurricanes miss the postseason in each of the past six years.

The 31-year-old has 10 goals and 23 assists this season, has remained healthy and should have plenty of hockey left despite being in the midst of his 12th NHL season.