This blog will be shutting down for a couple of weeks, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything to talk about.

Tuesday's column about Daniel Evans was obviously a hot-button topic among N.C. State fans, while Wednesday's column about Eric Staal should raise expectations among Canes fans.

An excerpt from the Evans column:

But this wasn't just another quarterback struggling to complete a pass. Evans grew up sitting in those same stands, the Broughton High grad as much a State fan as anyone who voiced displeasure with his play.

"I love N.C. State football, and I love this team," Evans said when Wilson was made the starter in August. "I love my teammates, and I love this university. So I'm really going to do anything I can to help this team win football games."

That may not matter to some, but it should. If there was ever a player State fans were willing to cut a little slack, wouldn't it be -- shouldn't it be -- this one?

(By the way, if you're planning on emailing to say that "It's OK to boo Evans because he isn't very good," save your bandwidth. That's the point. Everyone knows he's not a great D-I quarterback. Everything he's accomplished at State has been because of his hard work and effort to make himself a better player. And he has won some games. He's fighting out there because he loves N.C. State and this is all he ever wanted to do. Go ahead, boo him, if you don't believe in that.) 

From the Staal column:

As Staal and the Hurricanes close in on a long-term contract that will make him among the highest-paid players in the league, the time has come for him to take the next step and join the NHL's elite.

His dynamic play last spring offered a preview of what Staal may look like in his prime. Now, it's time for him to deliver.

Feel free to debate those points while I'm away.

Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said today that the team hoped to sign star forward Eric Staal to a long-term contract in the next week to 10 days.

Rutherford would not disclose the financial figures being discussed, but it is believed Staal could receive a seven- or eight-year contract that will pay him between $7 million and $10 million a year.

"We're continuing to talk and have talked more of late," Rutherford said. "I would expect us to get a deal done soon. We're getting to the point we're just trying to fine-tune it."

There was an Eric Staal sighting Friday at the RecZone, with the Canes center joining the informal workouts for the first time.

"It's good to be back," Staal said. "I've had a good summer and have been working out at home the last few months, but it's always nice to get back and get ready for a new season."

The Hockey News' preview magazine has hit newsstands, and in addition to their predictions, the magazine's staff ranked the top 50 players in the game.

Carolina's Eric Staal was the Hurricanes' only representative, coming in at No. 19. (He was 18th last season.) Rod Brind'Amour, who was 38th last season, fell off the list. (Sidney Crosby is No. 1 and Alex Ovechkin No. 2.)

The Sabres signed goalie Ryan Miller to a five-year contract extension today, which is a pretty significant deal for the Canes.

The first three Staal brothers all went in the first half of the first round — Eric second in 2003, Marc 12th in 2005 and Jordan second in 2006 — but the youngest, Jared, could have a longer wait.

There’s no guarantee Jared Staal will get picked in the first round tonight, which would deny the Staal family a spot in hockey history. Only the Sutter family has had four brothers taken in the first round.

The NHL’s Central Scouting Service ranks Staal 43rd among North American skaters. The Hockey News ranks him 31st overall, TSN has him 50th and the Red Line Report rates him 114th.

While he may move up in the draft based on his name alone, there’s an outside chance Staal could be available when the Hurricanes come up in the second round, 45th overall. That could make for an interesting discussion at the draft table.