There was a good amount of movement at this year's NHL trade deadline, and one move certainly provided a reuniting of good friends and former teammates. Erik Cole was traded back to the Carolina Hurricanes which is where he broke into the league and had played the past six seasons.

Going back to Carolina also puts Cole back on the same line as his good buddy Eric Staal. "It's a great opportunity for me. I get to play with some great players again, so I'm excited," Cole said. "This is going to be so easy for me to come in here and play hard and prove my worth."

Cole's impact to the lineup has been quite impressive in the two games since the trade. In his first game back, Cole scored his 17th goal of the season during the 'Canes 6-1 win against the Calgary Flames, and then he picked up four assists during Carolina's 9-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

During the 9-3 win, Eric Staal scored a career high four goals and picked up two assists for a total of six points. Cole assisted on two of Staal's goals.

"That's one of those games that don't happen very often," Staal said. "It was a good win for our team, which was the bottom line. But it's fun getting points and being on the offensive side of the game."

With his four goals, Staal now has 32 on the season. He now has gone four straight seasons with scoring at least 30 or more goals. You can be sure that he and Cole are happy to be back on the ice together again, looking to lead the 'Canes back into the playoffs. The Hurricanes currently sit in 9th place in the Eastern Conference, just one point out of the eighth and final playoff spot. They'll be looking to extend their winning streak to four games when they host the New York Rangers on Monday night.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

NBH would like to congratulate Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes for being named the NHL's First Star of the week.

Eric led the NHL in scoring this past week with five goals and four assists for a total of nine points. The Hurricanes won all three games they played by beating the Capitals, Flames and Lightning. Eric finished the week off in style by scoring a career high four goals during the team's 9-3 victory against Tampa Bay. His four goals and six points during the game tied single-game franchise records for the Hurricanes. For the season, Eric has a team high 32 goals and a total of 58 points.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

Despite being just 24 years old, Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes has certainly has his share of experiences in the NHL. Nike Bauer recently caught up with the center to get his thoughts on the game of hockey, his pre-game rituals and what style of player he views himself as. Check it out and let us know your thoughts.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

Nike Bauer recently sat down with Jordan Staal of the Pittsburgh Penguins and talked about the game of hockey. Listen to Jordan talk about his love for the game, what his pregame music is like and what it was like growing up in Thunder Bay.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

Marc Staal of the Rangers is once again having a great season and playing some great defense for New York. Nike Bauer recently sat down with Marc and got his thoughts on the game of hockey, and joys of playing the game. Check out the video below and let us know your thoughts.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

Jordan and Marc battled it out last night in Pittsburgh in a key Eastern Conference matchup between the Rangers and the Penguins.

With the game tied at one in the third period, Jordan Staal gave the Penguins the lead when he scored his 15th goal of the season. Jordan now has seven points in his last eight games, including four goals.

Marc didn't want to be shown up though, so he tried to help bring the Rangers back. He picked up his second goal of the season when he ripped a wrist shot home to make the score 4-2. The Rangers couldn't find any more offense though, as Jordan and the Pens came away with the 6-2 win.

The win helped Pittsburgh jump back into a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot with 52 points, while the Rangers remain in fourth place in the conference.

Marc and the Rangers will next be on the ice on Saturday when the travel to Boston to take on the first place Bruins, while Jordan and the Pens will take on New Jersey on Friday night.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

Eric Staal and the Hurricanes wanted a win and needed a win and they got just that. Staal scored the game winning goal in the second period which gave the 'Canes a huge 2-1 win against his younger brother Jordan and the Pittsburgh Penguins. "They didn't clear the puck and I was down on top of the crease where I like to be and fortunately it went in," Staal said.

With the victory, Carolina jumped over Pittsburgh in the standings with 51 points and into the final playoff spot. With the big goal, Eric now has 20 goals and 15 assists on the season. For his career, he now has four consecutive seasons with 20 or more goals. Pretty impressive for the 'Canes 24 year old.

Having lost five in a row coming into the week, the Hurricanes wanted to get back on the winning side of things before heading into the All-Star break and they accomplished their goal by winning their last two. Eric will now make his way up to Montreal to represent Carolina and the Eastern Conference in the 2009 NHL All-Star Game.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

On a night when the Penguins desperately needed a win, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal provided the spark they have been looking for.

With the game tied at one in the second period, Malkin fired home his 17th goal of the season for his league leading 66th point. For Malkin, he now has six points in his last four games, including goals in back to back games.

Later in the period, Staal picked up his 14th goal when he held off the Flyers defense and roofed a backhand to give the Pens a 3-1 lead. Staal now has goals in three straight games.

It doesn't get any easier for Pittsburgh though, as they will be hosting the Southeast Division leading Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

Congrats are in order for Pittsburgh's Jordan Staal. Staal has signed a new four year contract with the club that will keep him a Penguin through the 2012-13 season. The new deal will take effect at the beginning of next season.

Staal, who broke into the league as an 18 year old rookie, scored 29 goals in his first season, and has continued to mature as the years go on. So far on the season, Staal has scored 11 goals and picked up 10 assists. His all around play has been a strong point for the Penguins, as Staal is able to play in all aspects of the game, including the penalty kill and power play.

"He's a good young player, we've always wanted to re-sign him. His best years are ahead of him," general manger Ray Shero said.

Staal recently became the youngest player in NHL history to play in 200 career games. Again, congrats to Jordan on the new deal.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

Eric Staal once again picked up the Carolina Hurricanes and led them to a 5-4 victory against the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday night when he recorded his sixth career hat trick. Staal picked up his three goals in just over four minutes of the third period.

With his team on the power play and trailing 3-2 in the third period, Eric tied the game at three when he tucked home his 15th goal of the season on the backhand.

Once again trailing, Eric tied the game at four with a lazer of a shot to the top corner from the right circle. He then capped off the comeback with an end to end rush. He picked up the puck in his own defensive zone, rushed threw the neutral zone, got by a defenseman and fired home the game winning goal to complete his sixth career hat trick.

"I took it to the net hard," Staal said. "I created some opportunities."

Staal now has 17 goals on the season, with eight in his last 10 games. "The big fellow is one of the great players in the game," Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said.

After younger brother Jordan picked up a hat trick earlier in the year, Eric has now picked up the last two. "You want to get as many as you can," Eric said. "It's fun to have them." Eric and the 'Canes will be hosting the best in the East when the Boston Bruins come to town on Saturday night.

Posted By: Luke Ventura