Other players came and went, but Staal was the fulcrum of a generation of Hurricanes hockey. Sometimes ... his retired jersey joining those of Rod Brind’Amour and Ron Francis and Glen Wesley ...

Eric Staal became the fourth player to have his number retired by the Carolina Hurricanes when his No. 12 was raised at the Lenovo Center prior to the team’s game against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.