On Tuesday, former Buffalo Sabers forward Eric Staal signed a one-day contract with the Carolina Hurricanes to retire as a member of the club with which he had the most success. Additionally, the Hurricanes announced that they will retire Staal’s number 12.
Staal, 39, played 18 seasons in the NHL, splitting time between the Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Sabres, Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers. In 1,365 career NHL games, the Thunder Bay, Ontario native has scored 455 goals and 1,063 points. He was also an All-Star and won the Stanley Cup with the Canes in 2006.
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Staal played in 32 games with the Sabers in 2020-21, recording three goals and 10 points. His time in Buffalo was brief, as the Sabers traded him to the Montreal Canadiens for a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick near the 2021 NHL trade deadline.
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Staal’s final season in the NHL was with the Florida Panthers during the 2022-23 campaign. In 72 games, the 6-foot-9 center recorded 14 goals and 29 points.
Still, Staal had a very good career, and the former Saber certainly earned the opportunity to have his number retired by the Hurricanes. He is one of the best players Carolina has ever had.
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