Jordan Staal’s Number Should be the Next One Retired by the Hurricanes – The Hockey Writers – Carolina Hurricanes

When it comes to the legacy of Jordan Staal in Raleigh, North Carolina, he will be remembered as the captain who helped bring the Stanley Cup for a second time in 2026. On top of that, he will finish his career as the longest-tenured Carolina Hurricanes player (currently entering Year 15) and will play more than 1,000 games with the franchise (currently at 972 games). That said, when it’s all said and done, his No. 11 should be retired in the rafters of the Lenovo Center.

Hanging 11 Next to 12 in the Rafters

Back in Sept. 2023, my first article with The Hockey Writers was about how the Hurricanes should retire both Jordan and Eric Staal‘s Nos. 11 and 12 together once the former retires someday. Well, in 2025, the Hurricanes retired Eric’s 12. Since it won’t happen together, the next logical step is for Jordan to be the next retired number after Eric’s.

At that time in 2023, Staal had just recently signed a four-year deal worth $2.92 million per season. Heading into the 2026-27 season, he enters the final year of that deal. When going into the 2023-24 season, Staal had played 742 games and was on pace to play more seasons than his brother (12). When the 2026-27 season begins, he will be entering his 15th season with the Hurricanes and his 21st NHL season overall.

Furthermore, Staal is now at 972 games played in Raleigh, and is 28 games away from playing 1,000 total with the franchise since being traded back in 2012. Since joining the Hurricanes, Staal has tallied 198 goals, 301 assists, and 499 points.

Staal has been inside the top 10 for Selke voting five times since joining the Hurricanes, and somehow still hasn’t won the trophy as one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL. One of the knocks was that he did not score enough, but in 2025-26 he had 20 goals for the first time in 10 years.

He even followed that up with scoring six goals in the Stanley Cup Final alone, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. Staal became the oldest player to win the award. Furthermore, he helped bring the Stanley Cup back to North Carolina for the first time since 2006. Staal could have left at any time, but decided to stick it out, even signing a 10-year deal before the 2013-14 season. Fast forward, and he is now a two-time Stanley Cup champion.

Not only has he had success on the ice, but the captain is well-loved by the guys in the locker room. Rod Brind’Amour stated after Staal was awarded the Conn Smythe and lifted the Stanley Cup, “It’s kind of an unbelievable ending to a great story. I’m so proud of him, and I’m proud that he was able to do that in front of the whole hockey world. Everyone got to see what I’ve known forever: what kind of player he is, and leader. We’re not hoisting that without him. It’s just not even close. But I’m glad for him. I’ve seen this guy grind it out for 14 years and never waver. It doesn’t always work out, as you know, but it’s nice to see the good guys get one.”

Even Jordan Martinook and Jaccob Slavin were praising the captain for what he was doing in the Stanley Cup Final back in June. Martinook, after Game 5, stated, “He’s putting up goals, points, and all of that right now, but he leads us all year. Obviously, everybody who’s been around here all year sees the way Jordo plays every night. Some stretches aren’t filled with however many goals he’s scoring right now, but every night he’s the guy who sets the tone for our team. In the most important series of our season, he’s setting the tone every night and playing phenomenal. That shows you what type of captain he is.”

A few hours ahead of Game 5, Slavin shared his thoughts on Staal: “It’s unbelievable. I’ve been with him for 11 years now; he’s been my captain the whole time. Obviously, he wasn’t wearing a letter for the first couple of years, but he was a leader on this team, always has been. It’s welcoming to see; he’s what, 37 years old and still one of the hardest workers on the team.”

When the dust settles, and the skates are eventually hung up, Staal will be one of the most loved Hurricanes in franchise history, alongside his brother Eric and head coach Brind’Amour. His No. 11 should be next to 12 in the rafters, alongside Brind’Amour’s 17, Glen Wesley’s 2, and Ron Francis’ 10. (Side note: Justin Williams’ 14 and Cam Ward’s 30 should also be retired)

Staal will have played more than 1,000 games with the Hurricanes by the time the season ends, as he gets closer to 1,500 total for his career. He is a Stanley Cup champion with the Hurricanes and a Conn Smythe winner, something Eric did not do, and will be the longest-tenured player in franchise history. If there is anyone who should have their number retired by the Hurricanes, it’s Jordan Staal.