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Penguins shake up draft, send Staal to Carolina

Pittsburgh Penguins v Montreal Canadiens

MONTREAL, CANADA - NOVEMBER 26: Jordan Staal #11 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his game tying goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on November 26, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Penguins defeated the Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

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With the city of Pittsburgh hosting the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, some thought Pens GM Ray Shero might make a bold move in front of the hometown fans.

He did just that.

The Penguins shook up the evening by trading C Jordan Staal to Carolina in exchange for the eighth overall pick, C Brandon Sutter and D Brian Dumoulin, who Carolina took 51st overall at the 2009 draft.

The marquee name of the deal is obviously Staal, the 23-year-old center who’ll head to the ‘Canes and play alongside his brother, Eric. Staal had 50 points in 63 games last year (including 25 goals) and was outstanding in Pittsburgh’s six-game opening round loss to Philly in the playoffs, scoring nine points (including six goals.)

That said, the ransom Carolina paid to acquire Staal was massive -- Sutter was one of the Canes’ brightest young stars and had signed a three-year, $6.2 million extension with the club in July 2011. He hasn’t missed a game over the last two years and averaged 17 goals over the last three.

In addition to Sutter, Pittsburgh also gains the services of Dumoulin -- who in April won the Frozen Four with Boston College -- and got the eighth overall pick, which the Penguins used to select Portland Winterhawks defenseman Derrick Pouliot.

An emotional Ray Shero thanked Staal for his six years of service to the club prior to selecting Pouliot. That was preceded by a massive reaction from the Consol Energy Center faithful upon learning of the deal.

Related: Report: Shero “livid” with Staal for rejecting 10-year contrac