Sabres hire Eric Staal as special assistant to GM
The Buffalo Sabres hired former NHL forward Eric Staal as special assistant to general manager Kevyn Adams, the club announced Wednesday.
Staal will report directly to Adams in his new role and aid in all aspects of the hockey department, including scouting and working closely with players and prospects.
"As I looked for ways to enhance our existing staff, I wanted to add somebody to our group that has a fresh perspective and the direct experience of winning at all levels of hockey," Adams said in a statement. "Eric was one of the first people I thought of when I originally became general manager, so it is fitting that he is the first addition to our organization this offseason.
"He has done it all as a player, and I know his experience and knowledge will be invaluable to our team as we look to take the next step."
Staal's NHL playing career spanned 18 seasons, and he officially retired in July. He played in only 32 games with the Sabres in 2020-21, but the club clearly made an impression on him.
"Although it was short, I loved my time in Buffalo, and as a player, I was lucky to get a small glimpse of what makes the city such a special place and a terrific sports town," he said.
Staal last suited up in 2022-23 as a member of the Florida Panthers, when he played in 72 regular-season contests before appearing in all 21 of their playoff games during their run to the Stanley Cup Final.
The 40-year-old spent the bulk of his career with the Carolina Hurricanes and won a Stanley Cup with the franchise in 2006.
"Throughout my career, I was fortunate to be on so many successful teams, and I hope I can lean on some of those experiences to help the organization moving forward," Staal said. "I'm thankful to Kevyn for giving me this opportunity, and I'm eager to lend my experience to help in any way that I can."
The Sabres haven't made the playoffs since 2011, marking a 14-year drought. They missed the postseason by 12 points this campaign.
Staal also played for the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, and Montreal Canadiens. He amassed 455 goals and 1,063 points in 1,365 career regular-season games and 64 points in 104 playoff outings.
The Sabres acquired Staal from the Wild in September 2020 in exchange for forward Marcus Johansson. Buffalo later sent Staal to the Canadiens prior to the 2021 trade deadline for a third-round pick and a fifth-round selection in that year's draft.