Rumors have swirled around for nearly two months that the Carolina Hurricanes would get Eric Staal’s brother Jordan from Pittsburgh but the Penguins general manager said today that he’s not interested in trading Jordan Staal.

“People read the newspapers and so maybe they think he’s available,” Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero said. “That stuff is all speculation. I have made it clear to every team that has asked. I don’t want to trade Jordan. I’m not listening to offers. I want Jordan here. I want him here for a long time, and that’s what I’m going to try to do.”

It could be a little trick to get more trade value but I take him at his word. Jordan Staal was Shero’s first pick as GM back in 2006. I suspect that Shero wants to re-sign Staal to a contract extension soon (negotiations can begin July 1) because Staal can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season.

Insiders have said that Staal is a top trade possibility prior to this weekend’s NHL Draft. The draft is in Pittsburgh and I imagine the Penguins’ organization would like to have the Hurricane’s first pick at No. 8. Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently reported a specific offer he says the Carolina Hurricanes put on the table for Staal. Rossi said that the Hurricanes were willing to part with highly regarded young players Justin Faulk and Brandon Sutter, along with the 8th overall pick to get Staal and take on the contract of defenseman Paul Martin.