Eric Staal Bouncing Back With Minnesota Wild
Eric Staal Hasn’t Been Himself the Last Few Seasons. When the Carolina Hurricanes Traded the Forward to the New York Rangers Last Season, Staal Hoped for a New Start but Didn’t Find the One He Wanted. Now, Staal Is Finding the New Start He Wanted in Minnesota.
Eric Staal has had a rough last couple of seasons. The forward’s play had become so stunted that the Carolina Hurricanes traded Staal, in his last season before unrestricted free agency, to the New York Rangers for a prospect and two second-round picks.
The Rangers didn’t hold the bounce back Staal was looking for. Despite sharing a roster with a new brother, Marc Staal, Staal didn’t find the magic touch he was looking for. Staal became a bottom-six forward who only grabbed three goals in 20 games before the Rangers let him walk in the offseason.
Staal was making moves he couldn’t capitalize on, he wasn’t the center he always was and he was losing the quick abilities that made him the player he was and many attributed to his age as he entered his early-thirties.
Regardless, Staal’s lessening of play was not a result of his age and it was hardly an end at all, just a slump because now Staal is finding himself again in Minnesota.
Eric Staal: Starting Fresh in the Wild
Staal walked away from the 2015-16 season with just 13 goals and 26 assists in a somewhat split season between the Hurricanes and the Rangers. This was different for the center who often posted goals in the 20-range and points upward of 30.
Staal faced a challenge in the offseason; he was an unrestricted free agent with no certainty of being signed for the 2016-17 season, but the Minnesota Wild changed that.
The Minnesota Wild took a chance and signed Staal on an affordable $3.5 million per year, for three years. The Wild gave Staal the opportunity to play as well as he used to, and he showed up.
So far this season, Staal has posted six goals and 13 assists in 27 games. Staal plays around 19-20 minutes per night and is posting a faceoff percentage of around 52%. Staal is on track for a season much more impressive than his last.
The center has been performing as a top-six forward and has been making the kind of strong plays he used to. Between grabbing important goals when the Wild needs him and winning an impressive amount of faceoffs for his team, Staal is bouncing right back into his old self.
Going Distance With the Wild
More from Minnesota Wild
- Minnesota Wild: Goalie Controversy With Gustavsson and Fleury?
- The winners and losers from day one of the 2023 NHL Draft
- 2023 NHL Draft Live Updates: News, Draft Selections, Trades and More
- 2023 NHL Draft: Complete First Round Draft Order
- The previous winners of the NHL Draft Lottery from the past 20 years
The Wild is currently third in the Central Division with 34 points, just six points (three wins) away from tying the Chicago Blackhawks for first. Minnesota also has a game advantage,since they have only played 27 games compared to first place Chicago Blawkhawks’ 30 and second place St.Louis Blues’ 29.
Forwards like Staal, Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter are helping Minnesota score again. The forwards, together, have created 23 goals and 31 points for the Wild. Minnesota’s offense has been bringing incredible and consistent production for the team, which has been a huge help in keeping the team ahead.
The Wild is currently on a four-game winning streak and is confidently going into their next matchup in hopes of continuing the streak. With the team’s strong offense and play as of late, taking this feat might not be hard.
Next: Vegas Golden Knights Mock Draft
Staal has achieved impressive feats in his career and despite recent hardships, it is apparent that he isn’t done yet. There is still plenty of time in the season for Staal to top his odds and he just might. Until then, Staal will continue doing what he has been: helping the Minnesota Wild win.