WRAL Sports Fan

Hurricanes

Staal activated from injured reserve

By Joe Ovies

Nov 25, 2009

The Carolina Hurricanes have activated Eric Staal from injured reserve, making him eligible to play in tonight's game against the Anaheim Ducks.

Staal has been out since Nov. 1 with an upper body injury, and was placed on the injured reserve list on Nov. 19.

Hurricanes television play-by-play man John Forslund told 620 The Buzz Tuesday morning and 99.9 The Fan in the afternoon that Staal positioned himself for a possible return after a strong practice.

Canes coach Paul Maurice now has to answer a big question -- how will Staal's return to the lineup affect Brandon Sutter's role with the team?

"Where does he go, does Staal go back on the top line? Do you move Sutter off that line? It's kind of a good problem to have," Forslund said. "But it will be an interesting decision that Paul Maurice will be faced with."

The Canes and Ducks have a pre-Thanksgiving face-off at 10 p.m. Tune your radio for Storm Front on 99.9 FM The Fan ESPN Radio at 9:30 p.m.