Speculation: Staal as insurance?

[AcadiaAxeMan]

Hard to watch Perry and his veteran leadership leave. With solid, yet young C’s moving forward (Perry was a wing, I know), would signing Eric Staal to a one year contract, if he wants of course, be a good move? Paquette, Evans, Poehling, KK, Suzuki would benefit from a veteran.

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[Ozmodiar]

 

[blueberry]

Uhhh...no

 

[WinterLion]

I know this won't be a popular opinion, but I really felt that Kotkienemi's board work improved last year when Staal got here. I think Staal is the perfect role model for JKO... it's exactly how JKO needs to play to be successful. Simple N/S game, hard work in D, win battles and use reach and size to get to the net and make it ugly.

But I still don't think we should bring him back for the regular season. I'd rather give Poehling a shot.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Insurance vets get played over young players, so no.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

No

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Had he had a bit more gas in the tank I would have been open to the idea but I'm worried our cup run took everything he had left. He was slowing down big time by the time we got to the finals. A full season of playing regular minutes would be asking a lot.

 

[Deebs]

He did his part for us last year but that's enough.

 

[BLONG7]

NO....NO...NO...
Another vet, maybe, but sorry Staal is done...
I still think the kids get the chance to run with it, and if needed we get a vet during the season....

 

[The Great Weal]

Nope. Trade was worth it for his performance in the first 2 rounds but he should be done.

 

[Habsrule]

Staal is finished.

Just got for Bozak, Brassard or Anisimov on a one year deal to bridge the gap for the young centers.

 

[JianYang]

The habs are probably looking for a hybrid 2/3 C. Staal isn't that guy.

I don't see the fit.

 

[sampollock]

Too slow

 

[Sterling Archer]

Only if he’s selling it to the players. Otherwise, no thanks.

 

[JuicyHam]

His body gave up on him last season. Would be surprised if he doesn't retire

 

[le_sean]

No. f*** no. Do people have this short of memories? I don’t recall a Habs player being as bad as him. He was Laraque level bad. Honestly one of the slowest and laziest players ever. Slightly redeemed himself in the playoffs (by redeemed I mean I didn’t want to turn the TV off everytime he was on the ice), but I’ll chalk that up to playing with two good wingers.

 

[eklund the clown]

Absolutely not

 

[Mandala]

At least not the 2021 Staal. Unless he suddenly improved after a surgery or treatment I can't see a fit. His family is far from here and he was skating way to slow for a fast pace game the Habs try to impose (well at least first 20 games of season before injuries and defense adjust).

 

[Skip Bayless]

Yes, why not. It'll make the KK thread a bit more interesting.

 

[OpenIceHit]

Please no!

 

[Habs Icing]

Yes, why not. It'll make the KK thread a bit more interesting.

Let me weigh my options. A boring KK thread or a painfully arthritic Staal struggling to keep up with the slowest skaters on the Habs.

 

[Alexandre Magny]

No svp

 

[Skip Bayless]

Let me weigh my options. A boring KK thread or a painfully arthritic Staal struggling to keep up with the slowest skaters on the Habs.

I think it would be hilarious if he still manages to outplay KK.

 

[Sterling Archer]

I think it would be hilarious if he still manages to outplay KK.

By “outplay” do you mean KK gets dropped in the lineup for a useless player who did nothing while in the lineup while simultaneously decimating KK confidence and offensive production?? Yeah, that would suck.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Habs coach without a grizzled vet to play ahead of the high draft picks