Canes captain Staal returning for Finland game after recovery from torn calf

The Carolina Hurricanes are getting their playoff MVP back, as team captain Jordan Staal has been activated from injured reserve ahead of Saturday's second game in Helsinki, Finland, against the Seattle Kraken.

Staal has not played since Oct. 10 after he suffered a torn calf muscle during a pregame skate. He is returning on the early side of the one- to two-month window initially announced by the Hurricanes.

The 38-year-old Staal was held without a point over his first six games of the season. Playing in his 21st season, Staal is considered one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL.

He was a driving force behind Carolina's Stanley Cup Final win over the Vegas Golden Knights, scoring six goals in six games. Overall, he had 12 points in 19 postseason games while shutting down top offensive opponents, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

The center, who has also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, has appeared in 1,409 career games with 318 goals and 429 assists (747 points). He has been a two-time finalist for the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward but has yet to win the award.

Information from ESPN's Greg Wyshynski was used in this report.