Eric Staal enters his second season as a member of Buffalo’s front office staff. He joined the Buffalo Sabres organization on May 7, 2025, as special assistant to the general manager. Reporting directly to Jarmo Kekäläinen, he assists across all areas of the hockey department, including scouting, player evaluation, and direct involvement with players and prospects.
A veteran of 18 NHL seasons, Staal brings an exceptional body of experience as a player. He is a member of the exclusive Triple Gold Club, having captured a Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006, an Olympic gold medal with Team Canada in 2010 and an IIHF World Championship in 2007. His NHL resume includes 1,365 games and 1,063 points (455+608), placing him in the top 100 all-time across multiple offensive categories—including even-strength goals (301), power-play goals (133), short-handed goals (21) and game-winning goals (72). He was also a six-time NHL All-Star and earned All-Star Game MVP honors in 2008.
Staal’s playing career spanned six NHL franchises: the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and Florida Panthers. With Carolina, he served as team captain for seven seasons from 2009 to 2016 and his number was retired by the organization on Jan. 12. 2025.
