NHL Rumors: The Return of Eric Staal

If you are a fan of Eric Staal, get ready because he's making a comeback. It's all going to begin this weekend when Staal is rumored to be signing with the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League and he'll be using the team to condition himself as he's set to join the Canadian Olympic team.

Just chatted with Eric Staal, who's en route to Iowa from his home in Minny. Plan is for him to sign an AHL PTO and play with the Iowa Wild this weekend and next week before hopefully joining the Canadian Olympic team. Nothing is set yet, but that appears to be the plan.

— Ken Campbell (@Ken_Campbell27) January 12, 2022

Great news as this could certainly propel Staal into an NHL comeback once everyone sees how he plays in the AHL and at the Olympics. The 37-year-old Thunder Bay, ON native split last season between the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres where it was a bit of a struggle. He only managed three points in 21 games with the Habs, meanwhile recorded 10 points in 32 previous games with the Sabres.

Staal did however manage to pick it up in the Stanley Cup playoffs at the end of last season, tallying eight points in 21 games for the Canadiens. Many felt like this performance, on the biggest stage, would get him some attention for an NHL contract this season. Unfortunately that wasn't the case at all and now the veteran center is hoping a strong showing over these next few weeks will get him back into the league where he's played 1293 career games.

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