Boudreau believes Staal would be MVP candidate if he played in Toronto

Minnesota Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau doesn't believe Eric Staal is getting the credit he deserves.

"If (Staal) was playing in Toronto, he'd be up for MVP, I'll tell you that right now," Boudreau told The Athletic's Michael Russo following Staal's five-point night Tuesday against the Blues.

Given Staal's performance of late, and his overall numbers, it's hard to argue, considering that Minnesota is one of the league's smaller markets. The veteran center has quietly amassed 33 goals and 31 assists in 63 games in what has been a sensational encore to his bounce-back season a year ago.

Following a disastrous 39-point campaign in 2015-16, Staal signed a three-year, $10.5-million contract with the Wild, making him one of the most cost-effective players in the entire league.