Wild sign Staal to 2-year extension

The Minnesota Wild have agreed to a two-year extension with forward Eric Staal, the team announced.

Staal's contract carries an average annual value of $3.25 million, and the 34-year-old center will earn $3.5 million next season and $3 million the following year.

The veteran has found new life since joining Minnesota. After seeing his offense regress in his final years with the Hurricanes, Staal bounced back with 28 goals during his first season in Minnesota, and 42 goals in the 2017-18 campaign - his highest mark since his sophomore year.

The 6-foot-4 forward has contributed 18 goals and 41 points so far in his third season with the Wild, and he ranks second in team scoring.

Approaching the trade deadline, Staal remained adamant about staying with the team and submitted a 10-team no-trade list, making it difficult for general manager Paul Fenton to move him.

Minnesota sits a point up on the Colorado Avalanche for the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference heading into Monday's action.