Jul 7, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Montreal Canadiens center Eric Staal (21) and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (81) battle for the puck during the first period in game five of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/24b7ebb7-156f-4fd1-9b75-71f0d91dd055.jpeg] Jul 7, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Montreal Canadiens center Eric Staal (21) and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (81) battle for the puck during the first period in game five of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images Times are grim in Buffalo and have been for quite some time. The Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres] have not made the playoffs in 14 seasons, and there seems to be no end to their purgatory. On Wednesday, the team announced that Eric Staal, a veteran who played over 1,300 games in the NHL, had been named special assistant to general manager Kevyn Adams [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/staal-hired-by-sabres-as-special-assistant-to-adams]. While it does sound somewhat like beloved The Office character Dwight Schrute’s job title, it should allow Staal to have a lot of input with the GM. Canadiens: Caufield Speaks To The Media [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-caufield-speaks-to-the-media] Canadiens Send Reinforcements To Team Sweden [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-send-reinforcements-to-team-sweden] Canadiens’ Farm Team Laval Rocket Through To Round Three [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-farm-team-laval-rocket-through-to-round-3] Staal split the 2020-21 season between the Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens], playing 32 games in the state of New York and 21 in the province of Quebec before being an integral part of the Habs' magical run to the Stanley Cup Final. In 21 postseason matches, he scored just eight points but provided veteran leadership to the forward group and was a great influence on the then-very young Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Staal, who had won the Stanley Cup in just his second season with the Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes], was not offered another deal by the Canadiens. He played just four games in the 2021-22 season with the Iowa Wild before representing Canada at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. With the NHLers not participating, players who wouldn’t have had a chance of making the national team’s flag had they been there got a unique opportunity. Staal was accompanied at the Games by fellow former Habs David Desharnais, Jordan Weal, and Mark Barberio. Unfortunately for them, they fell short, falling 2-0 to Sweden in the Quarterfinals, finishing fifth in the tournament, and coming home empty-handed. Staal then played his 18th and final season in the NHL with the Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers], making the headlines for refusing to wear the Pride themed warmup jersey before retiring at the end of the 2022-23 season. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwo-DfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen], never to miss a story. Follow Karine on X @KarineHains [https://x.com/KarineHains] Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/karinehains.bsky.social] and Threads @karinehains [https://www.threads.net/@karinehains]. Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/] for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
