Staal vs. Staal: How One Brother’s Praise Puts Hurricanes’ Legacy in Perspective

Eric Staal knows a thing or two about winning a Stanley Cup in Carolina. He was the 21-year-old rookie who led the Hurricanes in scoring during their 2006 championship run. So when he sat down with Sportsnet’s broadcast ahead of Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, his words carried weight — especially since the player he was talking about shares his last name.

A Brother’s View on a 37-Year-Old Machine

“He doesn’t look 37 when you’re watching him right now. He’s dialed,” Eric said of his younger brother, Jordan Staal, the current Hurricanes captain. “It’s been fun to watch. Obviously, these guys are in a groove. Obviously, the opportunity is really, really big tonight. Hopefully, they just remain focused…it’s just one shift at a time. That’s the mentality you have to have in these moments.”

The praise isn’t just familial pride — it’s backed by performance. Jordan has scored a goal in each of the first five games of the Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, putting him on the short list for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. And he’s done it while maintaining the defensive dominance that has defined his career since he broke into the league with Pittsburgh.

The Staal Legacy in Raleigh

Eric spent 12 seasons in Carolina, including six as captain and four alongside his brother after Jordan was traded from the Penguins before the 2012-13 season. Eric still sits top-five in franchise playoff history for goals, assists, and points. Jordan, now in his ninth season as captain, ranks second in franchise history for regular-season games played.

The symmetry is hard to ignore. In 2006, the Hurricanes won the Cup on the back of a young Eric Staal and a veteran Rod Brind’Amour. Now, in 2026, Jordan Staal is the veteran — and Brind’Amour is behind the bench as head coach. One win separates this group from a second championship banner in Raleigh.

For Eric, watching from afar has been a mix of nostalgia and pride. “He doesn’t look 37” isn’t just a brother’s compliment — it’s an acknowledgment that Jordan is playing some of the best hockey of his life at a moment when the stakes couldn’t be higher.