Eric Staal lands back on NHL radar!

Fans got excited for veteran forward Eric Staal in the summer, when he landed a professional tryout deal with the Florida Panthers. Hearts were broken when the contender released Staal from his PTO ahead of the regular season…

However, chatter emerged that Staal was only released because the Panthers were so close up against the salary cap, unable to add Staal at this time.

On Wednesday, hope was renewed that Staal was back on NHL radar when Panthers Bill Zito confirmed that the 37-year-old was skating with the team as a non-roster player. His brother Marc is on the Panthers' roster. 

With future moves and injuries in Florida, Staal could manage to crack the roster and land a contract a league minimum with the Panthers. Or even, a rival club could get interested in the experienced forward and give him a call to add him to its roster. Staal is keeping in NHL form and is ready for any challenge!

Staal 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.

I am all for giving Staal another chance!