Eric Staal is back in the NHL!

Hard work pays off. Just ask veteran forward Eric Staal. Earlier this summer, the 37-year-old landed a professional tryout deal with the Florida Panthers, but was unfortunately released as the team was so close up against the salary cap, unable to add Staal at this time.

But now they can!

Early on Thursday morning, insider Frank Seravalli confirmed that Staal and the Panthers have agreed to terms on a one-year, one-way deal worth $750,000.

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan added that while Staal won’t be dressed tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning, he should debut Sunday against the New York Islanders.

This is quite the story for Staal who didn’t play in the NHL last season. He was not listed on any NHL roster for the 2021-22 season after helping the Montreal Canadiens on their way to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. He proved to have a lot in the tank then. After he was moved from the Buffalo Sabres to the Canadiens ahead of the trade deadline last season, Staal ended up with five goals and 13 points in 53 games between the two teams. He had two goals and eight points in 21 games during the Habs’ impressive playoff run. He looked good during the 2022 Olympics as Team Canada’s captain. He also registered two goals and three assists for five points in four games with the Iowa Wild of the AHL this season as he worked himself into game shape in preparation for the Olympics.

In a total of 1,293 NHL games, Staal has 441 goals and 1,034 points over the course of his career with the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Wild, Sabres and Canadiens. He also had 28 points in 26 games during the 2006 playoffs, helping the Hurricanes to their only Stanley Cup victory in franchise history.

He gets another chance in Florida, with his brother Marc, and that just makes the story even better!