Eric Staal set to play first NHL game in 477 days
For the first time since Game 5 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, veteran forward Eric Staal will suit up in a National Hockey League game.
According to TSN's Chris Johnston, Staal will make his Florida Panthers debut on Thursday night when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers at 7 p.m. ET.
Staal, 37, joined the Panthers in training camp after signing a professional try-out contract (PTO) with them this summer. Due to Florida's cap situation, they were unable to sign him before the season began, but Staal remained with Panthers and skated as a non-roster player.
Less than a week ago, the Panthers had to place defenceman Aaron Ekblad on long-term injured reserve and that opened up the opportunity to sign Staal, which they did. Both sides agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $750,000.
The Thunder Bay (Ontario) native didn't play in the NHL last year after going un-signed in free agency. He then turned his focus to representing Canada at the 2022 Olympics, where he captained the team. In five games at Beijing 2022, Staal had four points (one goal, three assists), four penalty minutes and was a minus-one.
Eric Staal makes his #FlaPanthers debut tonight. It'll be his first NHL game since July 7, 2021 when he played for Montreal during the Stanley Cup Final.— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 27, 2022
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APRIL 30, 2026
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| Quinn Hughes | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Leo Carlsson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Chris Kreider | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Troy Terry | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Matthew Boldy | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Cutter Gauthier | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mavrik Bourque | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Wyatt Johnston | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Connor Murphy | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Vasily Podkolzin | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ryan Poehling | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Vladimir Tarasenko | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Michael Bunting | - | 1 | 1 | |
| John Carlson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Colton Dach | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Leon Draisaitl | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Matt Duchene | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Brock Faber | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Marcus Foligno | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Kasperi Kapanen | - | 1 | 1 | |
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