PITTSBURGH -- Jordan Staal wanted a family reunion, and the Pittsburgh Penguins obliged.

The Penguins traded the talented center to the Carolina Hurricanes for two players and Carolina's first-round pick in the NHL draft that was held in Pittsburgh on Friday night.

The 23-year-old Staal helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2009, but reportedly balked at signing a contract extension. Staal has one season left on his current four-year deal. Rather than continue negotiating, the Penguins shipped him to the Hurricanes, where Staal will join brother Eric Staal. Carolina also has Jared Staal -- currently playing in the American Hockey League.

Pittsburgh received center Brandon Sutter and defenseman Brian Dumoulin in the deal as well as Carolina's eighth-overall pick in the draft, which the Penguins used to select defenseman Derrick Pouliot.

On a day when speculation about the future of Columbus star Rick Nash abounded, it was the Penguins who provided the draft with a jolt by sending the popular Staal packing.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman hinted at the impact moments before announcing the trade.

Penguins general manager Ray Shero thanked Staal for his contributions to the franchise before taking Pouliot as the capacity crowd at Consol Energy Center roared its approval. The move is a stunning end to a hugely successful run in Pittsburgh for Staal, the team's sixth pick in the 2006 draft who is getting married this weekend with most of his former Penguins teammates expected to attend.