‘“Hopefully I can be impactful,” said Staal. “That’s the plan. I don’t honestly know a lot about the team in general. I’ve been in the west the last four years, so it’s tough when you’re in a different conference. … I know obviously Jack (Eichel) is elite. There’s also (Jeff Skinner), who I played with in Carolina. There’s guys there that are competitive and great players. For me, I think I’m just going to try to be myself coming in and then hopefully, as a group, we can develop that team atmosphere, that desire to win and compete every night.”’
Archives for September 19, 2020
Eric Staal shocked by trade to Sabres, excited to play for GM Kevyn Adams
‘“The initial shock of everything was the biggest emotion I felt and we felt,” he said. “It’s been a great fit here in Minnesota for me and for my family. We really integrated well and not only on the rink for me, but my kids, my wife, and to me, that’s my most important thing.’
Family man Eric Staal shocked at timing of Wild trade to Buffalo
‘“It’s definitely a different situation than where I have been,” Staal said. “But I am getting to the latter stages of my career, and I understand that’s sometimes how things go and now it’s a new opportunity and I’ll be ready for it.”’
Ex-Red Wing Matt Ellis to develop Sabres’ talent in Detroit mold
‘”On some teams, a lot of guys do a lot of talking but they don’t walk the walk,” Ellis said. “They get labelled as heroes because they turn it on and off when the time is right. In Detroit, the guys just did it and it wasn’t broadcast all over the place. This is what we do, our habits, our preparation. They aren’t necessarily the sexy things, the work, the sacrifice but when it’s driven internally like that, you have a really good thing going because the people who come in are either on board or they don’t last long.”‘
“I can still be an offensive contributor”, Eric Staal ready to bring experience to Buffalo
‘”Age always seems to be talked about in this line of work,” Staal said. “I still feel great, my body feels good, I’m excited every time I go to the rink and compete. I think in the right situation, I can still be an offensive contributor and help my teammates around me be better.”‘
Eric Staal brings veteran leadership to Sabres roster
‘“For me, I think I’m just going to be myself coming in and just develop that team atmosphere, that desire to win and compete every night,” said Staal. “The center ice position is very important. Most teams that are successful have that, but to me the biggest reason for success is a team playing like a team. You need commitment from your whole lineup.”’
Staal says reuniting with Sabres GM helps with ‘shock’ of trade from Wild
‘”When he became general manager in Buffalo, I sent him a note wishing him the best knowing that he would succeed and do well,” the center said of Adams on Friday. “Little did I know he’d be trading for me in two months.”‘
‘He’s just a pro’: Skinner looks forward to Staal’s impact on Sabres
‘”I think that’s what separates the best players in the league too, is being able to bring it every night. That’s why he’s had the success he had, and he’s been on the successful teams he’s been on and he’s been the leader he’s been throughout his career is he brings it every night. To be able to bring it every night and compete that hard for that long is probably the most unique thing about him, I guess.”‘