Staal trade happened before he could say "I do"
The Penguins pulled a blockbuster trade while playing host to the NHL Draft, sending center Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes in return for center Brandon Sutter, a prospect and the eighth overall pick in the draft.
Staal, who spent six seasons with the Penguins, recently told the team that he would prefer to play with his brother, Eric, in Raleigh. That news, which put Ray Shero into something of a corner, forced the general manager to make a quick trade. And that's what he did.
In the middle of his wedding, Staal was traded. He turned down a 10-year, $60 million contract offer one day earlier.
Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford contacted Shero at 4:20 p.m. Friday. Less than three hours later, the trade was completed.
Staal is expected to sign a contract extension with Carolina this summer.
The Penguins said adding Sutter was paramount for the deal to be completed. He will be the team's third-line center.
Staal will always be a beloved figure in Pittsburgh. His goal in Game 4 against Detroit turned the 2009 Stanley Cup final in the Penguins' favor.
