Unfortunate record becomes huge problem for Erik Haula

Forward Erik Haula is hauled by the Carolina Hurricanes. On Thursday night, the Canes eliminated the New Jersey Devils and Haula in the Eastern Conference semifinals after an overtime victory in Game 5 to take the best-of-seven series, 3-1. This marked the end of the run for New Jersey, but also gave Haula a unique distinction in playoff history. Haula became the first player to be to be eliminated by the same opponent in three consecutive postseasons while playing for three different teams, according to NHL on TNT researcher Chris Jastrzembski.

It all started when Haula played for Nashville when the Predators were in the Discover Central Division during the season that was altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He tasted his first exit at the hands of the Canes then. He had a season in Boston in which the Bruins lost in the first round to Carolina, and Haula was traded to the Devils for Pavel Zacha last offseason.

But it didn’t change the outcome for the veteran forward, who is scheduled to become a free agent. Fans started to make it a problem for Haula, warning their favourite clubs not to sign the poor unlucky bastard. Jastrzembski pointed out the upcoming free agent might consider signing with the Hurricanes, but Haula played for Carolina in the 2019-20 season, but it wasn’t a success…

Sure, Haula could ink a contract in the Western Conference, but as Jastrzembski pointed, that team could face the Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup final and he would still somehow lose to Carolina.

Haula did mention how he’d be interested in re-signing with the Devils.

“We’ll be back, hopefully, I’ll be back here to put this jersey on again. I have faith in this team, I’d love to be here and be part of it. I think it’s going to be a bright future and I want to be a part of it.”

If that’s the case, let’s hope New Jersey doesn’t run into the Hurricanes in their next postseason run.

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