PTO: Eric Staal signs PTO with the Iowa Wild in preparation for the Olympics

[Reality Czech]

Oh cool, he can beat up on some terrible talent in the Olympics. Should help his ego I guess?

So anyone who isn't in the NHL is terrible?

I think it's a pretty cool story, what a career this guy has had.

 

[PAZ]

Oh cool, he can beat up on some terrible talent in the Olympics. Should help his ego I guess?

He's literally won at every level, already has an Olympic Gold, and a career that 99% of players can only dream of. He has nothing left to prove, but apparently you can't accept that the reason he's going is because he still enjoys competing and playing hockey at a high level?

 

[inthe6ix]

Congrats Eric, good luck with your PTO and in Beijing.

 

[jetsforever]

Didn't realise he was out of the NHL but good for him to presumably get to go to the Olympics

 

[HFBS]

Be afraid Putin. Very afraid.

 

[Voight]

Oh cool, he can beat up on some terrible talent in the Olympics. Should help his ego I guess?

He scored 5 points in 6 games when he did play in a best on best Olympics FWIW.

I always forget he was on Montreal last season. Thought he hadn't played since 2020.

 

[ThatGuy22]

Interesting that it's the Wild owned affiliate, after how his departure went down.

Not particularly. He stayed in Minnesota post career.

Quick 3 hour drive down I-35 for him to get some competitive games in.

 

[thethirdhockeyman91]

Never heard of this bloke, somebody give me a scouting report...

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

He scored 5 points in 6 games when he did play in a best on best Olympics FWIW.

I always forget he was on Montreal last season. Thought he hadn't played since 2020.

I try to forget he was on Montreal last season, would still have KK if we hadn’t picked up that geriatric old fart

 

[Voight]

I try to forget he was on Montreal last season, would still have KK if we hadn’t picked up that geriatric old fart

Meh, I don't think you are missing out on much not having Kotkaniemi around.

 

[Al Lagoon]

He is still just a couple seasons removed from 19 G 47 pts in 66 games with the Wild.

Not sure how Buffalo and Montreal were using him, but probably just like NYR in 15-16, the first time he was declared washed-up. Play him bottom 6 and that's what you get.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Played his first AHL game since May 14th 2005