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Eric Staal says ‘significant minutes’ drew him to Minnesota Wild


Eric Staal did not have a good year.

The Carolina Hurricanes captain had his lowest points per game average since his rookie year at 0.47, which was a byproduct of his disastrous stint with the New York Rangers in which he had six points in 20 games. He followed that with zero points in five games in the playoffs, skating to a minus-7.

After the season, Staal faced unrestricted free agency. His primary consideration for the next step of his career: To play a large, important role. Preferably at center, his natural position, where the Rangers didn’t play him.

“I think I can have a good bunch of years left. I can be effective offensively, more than I have been. I can be better. But I have to stay confident and know that I have the ability to be a difference-maker on an important team, in a larger role,” he said in April.

He found such a role in Minnesota.

GettyImages-509450410
GettyImages-509450410

Staal agreed to a three-year deal with the Minnesota Wild on Friday, with an annual cap hit of $3.5 million. It’s a far cry from from the seven-year, $57.75-million mega-contract he signed with the Hurricanes beginning in 2009.

The reason? “Significant minutes,” he said, via TSN.

“There was some opportunity in a lot of different spots. But Minnesota was on my radar for while now. Seemed like there was a hole I could fit there.”

So what’s the fit? A glance at the Wild depth chart tells you it’s on the team’s second line, flanked by Zach Parise and a winger to be named later. Perhaps that ends up being Charlie Coyle, moving to the wing, or perhaps he drops down the lineup for better depth.

Look, this is a gamble for the Wild, but an affordable one. It’s a show-me contract for a player that hasn’t shown much in recent years. It’s a chance to generate points for a player who hasn’t generated much beyond doubts about his declining effectiveness.

It’s a chance for Eric Staal to find newfound respect after seeing his star diminish with the Carolina Hurricanes.

“You envision being there until the end of your career. For a lot of reasons, it didn’t work out,” he said.

But he’s looking forward to stepping up and contributing to the Wild.

“It’s about opportunity, but it’s about joining a team that will do whatever it takes to win, including off the ice,” he said.

Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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