LeBrun: Eric Staal wants to play this season for an American team

[Stephen]

So strangely specific to want to play for a US based team... you would have thought the Montreal experience would have been a positive Canadian experience going from the worst team in the league to a finals appearance...

 

[pigpen65]

An American team in which league?

 

[Canes]

Honestly wish we could find a way to accommodate Eric but the Canes have finally had center depth since acquiring Trocheck, and now Stepan as well. There's just no room for Eric except on the wing where he's never played much or showed he was comfortable, and even then he probably couldn't beat out most of our wingers. I hope he can land in Detroit with Marc and play out his career there while helping their young team.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

He's not even worth to be a on 4th line at this point. Trust me. It was this bad in Montreal.

 

[BrindamoursNose]

Wouldn't be surprised if Fletcher tried to sign him.

He's like Thanos acquiring the over-age bottom 6 forward Infinity Gauntlet

 

[57special]

Wasn't that long ago that he had a 42 goal season.

 

[Rebels57]

Wouldn't be surprised if Fletcher tried to sign him.

He's like Thanos acquiring the over-age bottom 6 forward Infinity Gauntlet

If only he didnt waste money and a contract on the worthless Nate Thompson. Staal would help with Hayes out the first month.

 

[BrindamoursNose]

If only he didnt waste money and a contract on the worthless Nate Thompson. Staal would help with Hayes out the first month.

I'd love that (Staal for Thompson swap).

 

[SML2]

I literally hate this guy after the showing he had with the Rangers. One of my least favorite players of all time.

 

[cptjeff]

So strangely specific to want to play for a US based team... you would have thought the Montreal experience would have been a positive Canadian experience going from the worst team in the league to a finals appearance...

His family is still in Minnesota, I'm sure the main factor is being able to see them without dealing with the US/Canada border restrictions.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

Beggars can't be choosers Eric

 

[SKNJD9]

Once Luff/Fitz again realize Pav needs to be a LW and if Boqvist disappoints at camp I'd take Eric as 4C in NJ

 

[Fordy]

So strangely specific to want to play for a US based team... you would have thought the Montreal experience would have been a positive Canadian experience going from the worst team in the league to a finals appearance...

why?

 

[ManwithNoIdentity]

I wonder if HD_Display from the red wings Reddit is a poster on this site

 

[SundherDome]

GFY, Eric.

The above post is about 500 likes light.

 

[chaser17]

You know its bad for Canada when even former olympians don't wanna play here...

 

[JeffreyLFC]

You know its bad for Canada when even former olympians don't wanna play here...

I could be wrong but I think Staal family are settled in the US and with the covid and the current border restriction between US/Canada that it would make more sense for him to be able to see them by playing in the US. I don't think it's anything against Canada.

 

[serp]

At this point he should be happy any team shows interest in him. He's been on a noticeable decline.

 

[Jerkbait]

My guess would be minn but pitt makes sense but hextall is reluctant to address anything that could temporarily help. Carolina would be another option or Detroit.

 

[tarheelhockey]

He could probably get a sweet 1-day retirement contract from the Canes.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

I'd rather a younger player that can skate, Staal seemed done last season and had a hard time keeping up.

 

[BLNY]

Well, the AHL has teams in the US ...

 

[Waivers]

I guess he can only be a halfway decent player on Minnesota. He was a rag on the Rangers too.

 

[sebsisles]

Random prediction...he signs with the coyotes and plays next to Andrew Ladd

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

So strangely specific to want to play for a US based team... you would have thought the Montreal experience would have been a positive Canadian experience going from the worst team in the league to a finals appearance...

If you know anything about Eric Staal then it shouldn’t be surprising.

He doesn’t care about winning anymore. He wants to have a nice quiet comfortable family life and not be in a city where there’s media attention on him in anyway.

The thing is he probably still can still play… it’s just that if he’s not in his absolute comfort zone then he sulks and plays like a beer leaguer. So, theoretically if he signs somewhere this year then he should WANT to be there and maybe he will play well. I just don’t think there’s much of a fit for teams that want him and teams he wants to play for.