We also have Ryan Murphy who will be on the roster within the next few seasons and Brian Dumoulin who is ready for the NHL now. Between the two, Murphy can use some time in the minors but Dumoulin will be in limbo - not developing any further until he steps up to the next level. Also, Bobby Sanguinetti just re-signed, so he's on the cusp of the full-time roster... with him it's either play him in the NHL or why re-sign him, IMO.
It's true, J.Staal said that if he were to go to a new team he would prefer to play with his brother Eric. But next season is the last year on his contract, so do you trade for him now or wait until he's available as a UFA and go after him? I would be content with focusing on getting Parise at all costs and then look at Staal at this time next year. But the obvious problem is that you give other teams on the fence about him a long time to consider their offer (in the end, money talks louder than family) and you give Pittsburgh a second chance at keeping him. I don't know what we'd offer Pittsburgh for him, but I know they want Sutter and there is no way I'd trade him away. They probably also want our 1st round pick packaged with someone who is a roster player right now.
In and unrelated note, I just read that Mike Murphy is headed towards the KHL, but we retain his rights in North American professional hockey. So if he comes back, he can only play through the Hurricanes. LINK
Murphy isn't old enough to play in the minors, so if he doesn't make the roster he will be going back to the K. Rangers.
Dumoulin will be eligible to play for the Checkers and the Canes but I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the final roster.
Unfortunately we are stacked at defense right now, so I don't see Sanguinetti seeing much if any time at the NHL level this year.
If I'm the Canes, I trade Harrison, Joslin, our 1st and 3rd for Jared Staal and sign Zach Parise and Ryan Suter
I could see this roster contending next year...
OffenseParise - E. Staal - Jokinen
Skinner - J. Staal - Ruutu
Nodl - Sutter - Tlusty
Dwyer - Brent - LaRose
Anthony Stewart (Healthy Scratch)
DefenseGleason - Faulk
Suter - Murphy
Pitkanen - McBain
Dumoulin (Scratch or rotate with Murphy)
GoaliesCam Ward
Brian Boucher
Possible Call Ups Throughout the Season
Jeremy Welsh (Checkers)
Drayson Bowman (Checkers) If Re-signed
Jerome Samson (Checkers) If Re-signed
Brett Sutter (Checkers) If Re-signed
Zac Dalpe (Checkers)
Zach Boychuk (Checkers) If Re-signed
Riley Nash (Checkers)
Bobby Sanguinetti (Checkers)
Jason Peters (Checkers) If Re-signed
By the way, here is a list of the Hurricanes unrestricted and restricted free agents...
CAROLINAUFA: Jaroslav Spacek ($3.833), Bryan Allen ($2.9), Mathieu Roy ($600), Brett Sutter ($525), Justin Soryal ($525), Justin Peters ($525), Chris Durno ($525). RFA: Zach Boychuk ($1.196), Evgenii Dadonov ($875), Justin Krueger ($850), Drayson Bowman ($846), Chris Terry ($750), Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll ($613), Kyle Lawson ($552.5), Matthew Pistilli ($522), Jerome Samson ($512.5).