Carolina Hurricanes place Jordan Staal on injured reserve

The Carolina Hurricanes have placed Jordan Staal on injured reserve, Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer reports. Staal fractured his right fibula in

The Carolina Hurricanes have placed Jordan Staal on injured reserve, Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer reports.

Staal fractured his right fibula in a preseason game in Buffalo on Sept. 23 when he got tangled up with Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges.

On Sept. 26, Staal underwent surgery. He is expected to miss three to four months.

• MUIR: Jordan Staal's injury a blessing in disguise for aimless Hurricanes

Staal, who is an alternate caption for the Hurricanes, hasn't missed a game in two seasons with the Hurricanes. In 82 games last season, Staal tallied 40 points.

The 26-year-old played his first six years with the Penguins, winning the Stanley Cup with them in 2009.

Carolina​'s first regular season is Oct. 10 at home against the New York Islanders.

- Sarah Barshop