More than three months after his brother Marc, forward Eric Staal reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers on Friday.
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The 37-year-old center will receive a salary of $750,000 under the one-sided pact, according to the specialized site. Daily Faceoff.
Staal had however been released at the end of his professional trial at the dawn of the start of the regular calendar. General manager Bill Zito explained that he did not count on the salary flexibility necessary to obtain the services of the veteran of 1,293 games in the National Hockey League.
Even without a valid contract, Staal continued to train with the Panthers in an effort to return to the Bettman circuit, and his gamble paid off. Aaron Ekblad’s long-term injury, among other things, allowed Zito to save the money needed to give him a contract.
In 2021-2022, the native of Thunder Bay wore the colors of the Iowa Wild, in the American League, for four games. He also acted as captain of the Canadian team at the Beijing Olympics.
During his career, Staal played for the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabers and Montreal Canadiens. He had played 21 playoff games with the Habs in 2021, amassing eight points.
In career, he scored 441 goals and 1034 points in the regular season and 59 points in 83 playoff games. He lifted the Stanley Cup in his second year in the circuit in 2005-2006, with the “Canes”.
Staal will evolve alongside his brother Marc, a 35-year-old defender, with the Panthers. He had initialed an agreement identical to that of his brother last July.