Eric Staal expects myriad emotions in Carolina return

Former Carolina Hurricanes captain and face of the franchise Eric Staal will play his first game as a visitor with the New York Rangers on Thursday night. Staal is one of several players excelling with his new team since the Feb. 29 trade deadline.

Rangers forward among NHLers to have success with new team

The Associated Press · Posted: Mar 30, 2016 4:23 PM EDT | Last Updated: March 30, 2016

Rangers forward Eric Staal on Thursday night will play his first game in Raleigh, N.C., since the Carolina Hurricanes dealt him to New York ahead of the Feb. 29 NHL trade deadline for second-round draft picks in 2016 and 2017 along with Finnish forward prospect Aleksi Saarela. The 31-year-old Staal, who is eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1, has three goals and 10 points in 14 games with his new team while averaging 16 minutes 22 seconds of ice time. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Eric Staal has made the mundane commute hundreds of times over the years from his home in Raleigh to the Carolina Hurricanes' rink.

But it will be different Thursday night. When he walks into the arena, he'll make a left into the visitors' dressing room.

The former Hurricanes captain and face of the franchise will play his first game as a visitor at PNC Arena with his new teammates, the New York Rangers.

"You don't really know how you're going to feel … until you really experience it," Staal said. "I think it's going to be a lot of unique, different emotions just in general because of being there and being there so long. … It's going to be a lot different."

Carolina's second overall pick in 2003 remains its career leader in nearly every statistical category, including 909 games played, 332 goals and 775 points.

But with Staal's seven-year, $55.75-million US contract expiring this summer, the 31-year-old was dealt to the Rangers for second-round draft picks in 2016 and 2017, along with Finnish forward prospect Aleksi Saarela.

Staal has three goals and seven assists in 14 games with his new team while averaging 16 minutes 22 seconds of ice time after never averaging less than 18:45 in any season with Carolina since he was a rookie.

Barring a total collapse, he'll skate in the playoffs for the first time since 2009 as the Rangers have 95 points, second-most in the Eastern Conference.

How are other players moved ahead of the deadline performing with their team? We highlight some below.

Mikkel Boedker, F, Avalanche

The trade: Colorado acquires Boedker from Arizona for Alex Tanguay, F Conner Bleackley and D Kyle Wood

Before the trade: 13 goals, 39 points, minus-28 in 62 games
Since the trade: 3 goals, 10 points, minus-1 in 13 games

Jiri Hudler, F, Panthers

The trade: Florida picks up Hudler from Calgary for 2016 2nd-round draft pick and 2018 4th-round draft pick

Before the trade: 10 goals, 35 points, 16:39 of ice time in 53 games
Since the trade: 5 goals, 7 points, 13:22 of ice time in 13 games

Andrew Ladd, F, Blackhawks

The trade: Chicago gets Ladd, F Matt Fraser and D Jay Harrison from Winnipeg for F Marko Dano, 2016 1st-round pick and 2018 conditional 3rd-round pick

Before the trade: 17 goals, 34 points, 19:27 of ice time in 59 games
Since the trade: 6 goals, 9 points, 16:50 of ice time in 14 games

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Dion Phaneuf, D, Senators

The trade: Ottawa gets Phaneuf from Toronto in 9-player deal

Before the trade: 3 goals, 24 points, 22:02 of ice time in 51 games
Since the trade: 1 goal, 8 points, 23:10 of ice time in 20 games (shut down for season with hairline fracture in foot/torn rib cage muscle