If you’re a Sabres fan, you may be familiar with Eric Staal, who suited up for the team in the 2020-21 season for 32 games. In what was his age-36 season, Staal’s career hit twilight mode, and he didn’t make much of an impact for the Blue and Gold, logging three goals and 10 points, and a minus-20.
Stall played primarily middle-six minutes, and he was moderately effective in the face-off circle, notching a 48.0 win percentage and 169 face-off wins. Consistent losing and uninspiring play from the rest of the team marred his time in Buffalo, and it was nothing more than a quick stop in his career.
Heck, the Sabres will be one of those teams most NHL fans will forget Staal even suited up for. So, while his impact in Buffalo was minimal, at best, will he make more of an impact as the ‘special assistant to the general manager?’
Let’s hope Eric Staal talks some sense into Kevyn Adams
Per his job description, which states, “Staal will report directly to General Manager Kevyn Adams and will assist in all aspects of the hockey department, including scouting and direct involvement with players and prospects,” there’s a chance he could have a significant say, even if Adams still holds the final word.
I’m glad to see he’ll be involved in scouting, more than anything else since as the years have gone by during the Adams Era, we’ve seen mainly marginal talents come from his draft classes. Jack Quinn, Owen Power, and Zach Benson, to name a few, all have been average, at best, so far, even if Power could be on the verge of a true breakout in 2025-26.
JJ Peterka’s been an outlier, but he’s neither someone you build around nor would he be a top-liner for many playoff-caliber teams. So, if Staal can do a better job identifying a future star and can ‘sell’ their stock to Adams, that alone means he’ll make an impact where one otherwise wouldn’t have happened in previous seasons.
Adams also implied that he’s looking for “a fresh perspective,” so that, too, shows us that there’s a chance Staal will roll in as more than just another name in the department. Still, it’s hard to get one’s hopes up until we see the Sabres put this into practice.
Still, expect a change in style starting this summer
Expect, as in, be optimistic. Right now, optimism’s about the only thing Sabres fans can roll with right now but at least hiring Eric Staal shows that Kevyn Adams is willing to try something, anything, to make this team better. If that wasn’t the case, Staal wouldn’t be joining the team amidst what remains a record-setting playoff drought.
Right now, we have a reason to be optimistic, but cautious optimism is the way to go. Cautious optimism that says Adams will take Staal’s recommendations seriously so the duo can finally bring a winner to the City of Good Neighbors. And, if the Sabres once again disappoint us early, maybe Staal’s the eventual successor here?
