Eric Staal, really?

[mgraeme]

Just having a Saturday evening beverage, looking at the boxscores, etc. Can someone shed some light, I mean, how can this guy have fallen so far. If he didn't shoot the puck, I'd have no use for him whatsoever (and really should just waive him).

[Zorro]

It's really unbelievable to watch E.Staal these days..

[markpiel]

At our trading deadline last season I gave up a 3rd round pick for Staal thinking he'd be a decent depth addition to my team's lineup.

I had to cut the bastard before the season was over. He was that useless.

I'll be shocked if he's offered more than $3 million per next season.

[The Comish]

It's really unbelievable to watch E.Staal these days..

The next Vincent Lecavalier...

[blayze]

I cut ties with him months ago... never looked back

[Mr. Guru]

Im looking at trading for him by years end in my keeper.

Should be able to get him real cheap and he might do something outside of Carolina next year. Either way, I love the risk/reward here.

[Millhouse]

What has happened to him. Jordan is outpointing him. I picked him up hoping for his usual second half production, but he could not even get a shot on net.

[ericdaoust]

The next Vincent Lecavalier...

It's starting to look that way.

[Rato]

Im looking at trading for him by years end in my keeper.

Should be able to get him real cheap and he might do something outside of Carolina next year. Either way, I love the risk/reward here.

Hopes he does something so I can fool someone into giving something in return for him. Did it with Phaneuf, Koivu and Marleau so I still believe I can do it with Staal, Callahan and Pominville.

[The Comish]

I did a little research on Eric Staal. After his 31 point rookie season, here are Staal's point totals in order: 100, 70, 82, 75, 70, 76, 70, 53 (in 48 gp/90 pt pace), 61, 54 and is on pace for 44 points this season.

He's 31 years old, so age is likely a contributing factor to his decline, but there were two significant injuries that cumulatively may have hurt his output. During the 2013 World Championship, Alex Edler delivered a knee-on-knee hit (and was suspended for it by the IIHF). That was in May of 2013. He didn't require surgery, however, he did spend 3 months rehabbing the injury instead of off-season training. Still, he scored a respectable 61 points that season. Then in July of 2014 while training, he needed surgery for a core muscle injury (?whatever that means - abs? midsection?). Again, another off-season setback. He did manage to record 54 points last year.

Now he's on pace for only 44 points this season and he'll be UFA this summer. To me, it doesn't seem like his decline is solely age related. If he can get a good summer of off-season training in without injuring himself, I wonder if he might not be able to see a resurgence back to the 60 point range...obviously if he lands in the right situation this summer. If I were an NHL GM, would I want to sign Eric Staal? I certainly wouldn't give longer than a 2-3 year deal at a reasonable cap hit. Could be a bit of a sleeper pick in salary cap leagues that are used to ignoring a 45 point guy with a $8.25M cap hit. Something to watch for next season.

[marshal]

The next Vincent Lecavalier...

Yup. That's what I've thought of Staal for the last long while now.

[Wrist_Shot]

I did a little research on Eric Staal. After his 31 point rookie season, here are Staal's point totals in order: 100, 70, 82, 75, 70, 76, 70, 53 (in 48 gp/90 pt pace), 61, 54 and is on pace for 44 points this season.

He's 31 years old, so age is likely a contributing factor to his decline, but there were two significant injuries that cumulatively may have hurt his output. During the 2013 World Championship, Alex Edler delivered a knee-on-knee hit (and was suspended for it by the IIHF). That was in May of 2013. He didn't require surgery, however, he did spend 3 months rehabbing the injury instead of off-season training. Still, he scored a respectable 61 points that season. Then in July of 2014 while training, he needed surgery for a core muscle injury (?whatever that means - abs? midsection?). Again, another off-season setback. He did manage to record 54 points last year.

Now he's on pace for only 44 points this season and he'll be UFA this summer. To me, it doesn't seem like his decline is solely age related. If he can get a good summer of off-season training in without injuring himself, I wonder if he might not be able to see a resurgence back to the 60 point range...obviously if he lands in the right situation this summer. If I were an NHL GM, would I want to sign Eric Staal? I certainly wouldn't give longer than a 2-3 year deal at a reasonable cap hit. Could be a bit of a sleeper pick in salary cap leagues that are used to ignoring a 45 point guy with a $8.25M cap hit. Something to watch for next season.

Nice work...I agree. Interested in where you found the injury history.

[JohnScott AllStarMVP]

He needs a change of scenery and needs to land where he's see as a 2C going forward

[The Comish]

Nice work...I agree. Interested in where you found the injury history.

I remembered that he had a big knee injury during the World's, but I couldn't remember the year, so I just googled it and that's when I also came across his "core muscle injury".

He needs a change of scenery and needs to land where he's see as a 2C going forward

I agree with you here Mr Scott. At least I think he might be able to stage a bit of a comeback if this happens. Surely, no one is going to sign him to be their #1C.

[Wrist_Shot]

I remembered that he had a big knee injury during the World's, but I couldn't remember the year, so I just googled it and that's when I also came across his "core muscle injury".

Right on Comish, thought you might have known of a site that lists player injury history. The search continues...