BUFFALO, N.Y. – Eric Staal, former NHL forward, returns to the Buffalo Sabres. This time, he will take on a role in the front office as a special assistant to general manager Kevyn Adams, the team announced on Wednesday.
Staal will participate in all areas of the hockey department in his new role, which arises after the Sabres executives’ end-of-season meetings with owner Terry Pegula. The 40-year-old player, who retired two years ago after 18 seasons in the NHL, joins a board that already has three assistant general managers: Jason Karmanos, Mark Jakubowski, and Jerry Forton.
Staal is reunited with Adams, with whom he shared a team on the Carolina Hurricanes team that won the Stanley Cup in 2006. In addition, he played 32 games with the Sabres in 2021 before being traded to Montreal.
When looking for ways to improve our existing staff, I wanted to add someone to our group who had a fresh perspective and the direct experience of winning at all levels of hockey. He has achieved everything as a player and I know his experience and knowledge will be invaluable to our team as we look to take the next step.
Kevyn Adams
Staal’s appointment comes at a time when Adams is facing increasing criticism for his five years as general manager, during which the Sabres extended their playoff drought to 14 seasons.
Staal, one of the four players whose numbers the Hurricanes have retired, played 12 seasons for Carolina, in a career that also included stints with the New York Rangers, Minnesota, and Florida.
Throughout my career, I was fortunate enough to be on many successful teams and I hope to be able to lean on some of those experiences to help the organization move forward.
Eric Staal
