Muller: Hurricanes to experiment during preseason camp with playing Staal brothers together

FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2011, file photo, Pittsburgh Penguins' Jordan Staal, left, and his brother Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Staal (12) battle in the corner during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh. Staal said Saturday that he was midway through his wedding reception when he found out the Pittsburgh Penguins traded him to his big brother's team — the Hurricanes. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

RALEIGH, N.C. - Carolina Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller says he will experiment this preseason with putting brothers Jordan and Eric Staal on the ice together.

Muller said Wednesday during the team's rookie conditioning camp that he wants to give the Staals a chance to play on the same line "and see if there's chemistry."

The team's top priority this off-season was finding an elite forward to complement Eric Staal.

Carolina acquired Jordan Staal from Pittsburgh during last week's draft in exchange for centre Brandon Sutter, prospect Ryan Dumoulin and a first-round pick. Both Staals are centres, but after the trade, the possibility was raised that one could shift to the wing.

Muller says "it makes sense right now to start off with them and see how they work together."