Editing Eric Staal (section)

===Professional===
====Carolina Hurricanes (2003–2016)====
Staal was selected second overall in the [[2003 NHL Entry Draft]] by the [[Carolina Hurricanes]], behind number one pick [[Marc-André Fleury]]. He played his first season in the NHL right after being drafted. In 2004, Staal played in the YoungStars Game as part of the [[54th National Hockey League All-Star Game|2004 NHL All-Star festivities]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2004 YoungStars Game rosters |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=1717334 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=February 28, 2019 |date=January 29, 2004}}</ref>

As the [[2004–05 NHL season|2004–05 season]] was cancelled due to a [[2004–05 NHL lockout|lock-out]], Staal spent the year with the Hurricanes' [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) affiliate, the [[Lowell Lock Monsters]]. He established new franchise records in points (77), assists (51), [[Plus–minus (sports)|plus-minus]] (+37) and 
shorthanded goals (7) in a season, and was also called for the AHL All Star Classic.<ref name=bio>{{cite web| url = http://hurricanes.nhl.com/ext/staal_mediabio0809.pdf | title = Eric Staal media biography | website = [[Carolina Hurricanes]] | date = March 4, 2008 | access-date = March 4, 2008}}</ref>
[[File:Eric Staal.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Staal with the Hurricanes in 2011.]]
In the [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06 season]], Staal scored a career-high 100 points during the regular season and was named NHL Offensive Player of the Week of October 23–30, 2005, the same week in which he scored his first career hat-trick, coming against the [[Philadelphia Flyers]]. He then led the Hurricanes in points during the [[2006 Stanley Cup playoffs]] with 28 as they won the [[Stanley Cup]]. After the season, Staal finished fourth in voting for the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]], awarded to the NHL's [[most valuable player]] (MVP). Following the successful season, on July 1, 2006, Staal signed a three-year, $13.5 million contract extension with the Hurricanes.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=470724 | title = Hurricanes, Staal agree to contract extension | website = [[Carolina Hurricanes]] | date = July 1, 2006 | access-date = July 1, 2006}}</ref>

Staal made his first [[National Hockey League All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] appearance in [[55th National Hockey League All-Star Game|2007 All-Star Game]] in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]], where he scored the Eastern Conference's third goal. His overall production dipped from the previous season, recording just 70 points.

On January 27, 2008, at the [[56th National Hockey League All-Star Game|2008 NHL All-Star Game]] in [[Atlanta]], Staal recorded two goals and an assist. He was also awarded the MVP award for the event.<ref name = "All-Star MVP">{{cite web |title=All-star game MVP Eric Staal helps set up winner |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/all-star-game-mvp-eric-staal-helps-set-up-winner-1.273235 |website=ctvnews.ca |access-date=February 28, 2019 |date=January 28, 2008}}</ref>

On September 11, 2008, Staal signed a seven-year, $57.75 million extension with the Hurricanes, which was to begin in the [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10 season]]. Staal was slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1, 2009, but signed despite having one year at $5 million remaining on his former contract.<ref>{{cite magazine| url = http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/17830-Eric-Staal-agrees-to-sevenyear-US57M-deal-with-Hurricanes.html | title = Eric Staal agrees to seven year $57M deal with Hurricanes | magazine = [[The Hockey News]] | date = July 1, 2009 | access-date = May 6, 2010}}</ref>

On April 28, 2009, Staal capped an improbable comeback by scoring the series-winning goal with 31.7 seconds remaining in Game 7 of Carolina's first-round series of the [[2009 Stanley Cup playoffs|2009 playoffs]] against the [[New Jersey Devils]].<ref name=thn/><ref>{{cite web |title=Hurricanes hit Devils hard with two late goals to steal series |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/gametracker/recap/NHL_20090428_CAR@NJ |website=cbssports.com |access-date=February 28, 2019 |date=April 28, 2009}}</ref> His game-winning goal led to the comeback victory being nicknamed “"Shock at the Rock".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Michael |title=This Day in Canes History: April 28 |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/this-day-in-canes-history-april-28/c-316743794 |website=NHL.com |access-date=December 23, 2022 |date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> The Hurricanes went as far as the Eastern Conference Finals, ultimately losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].

On May 8, 2009, Staal scored twice to earn 40 career post-season points, eclipsing [[Ron Francis]]' franchise mark of 39.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

[[File:Eric Staal 2013-3.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Staal in warm-ups for the [[Carolina Hurricanes|Hurricanes]] in 2013.]]
On January 20, 2010, Staal was named team captain, replacing [[Rod Brind'Amour]], who was named an alternate captain. Staal became the fifth captain since the team relocated to the city of [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], from [[Hartford Whalers|Hartford]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=514280 | title = Eric Staal named captain of the Carolina Hurricanes | website = [[Carolina Hurricanes]] | date = January 20, 2010 | access-date = January 20, 2010}}</ref>

On January 18, 2011, Staal was named one of two team captains for [[58th National Hockey League All-Star Game|2011 NHL All-Star Game]], held in the Hurricanes' home city of Raleigh.<ref>{{cite web |title=E. STAAL & LIDSTROM NAMED TEAM CAPTAINS FOR 2011 NHL ALL-STAR WEEKEND |url=https://www.nhlpa.com/news/1-13520/e-staal-lidstrom-named-team-captains-for-2011-nhl-all-star-weekend |website=National Hockey League Player's Association |access-date=January 18, 2011}}</ref> In the Game, Team Staal fell 10–11 to Team Lidstrom, captained by the [[Detroit Red Wings]]' [[Nicklas Lidström]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Team Lidstrom wins NHL all-star game |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/all-star-game-lidstrom/ |website=Sportsnet |access-date=January 31, 2011}}</ref>

====New York Rangers (2016)====
On February 28, 2016, Staal, in the final year of his contract, was traded to the [[New York Rangers]] in exchange for [[Aleksi Saarela]] and two second-round draft picks ([[2016 NHL Entry Draft|2016]] and [[2017 NHL Entry Draft|2017]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/rangers-acquire-staal-from-hurricanes-1.445030|title=Rangers acquire Staal from Hurricanes|publisher=TSN|date=February 28, 2016|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blueshirtsunited.com/article/rangers-acquire-eric-staal-carolina|title=Rangers Acquire Eric Staal from Carolina|publisher=Blueshirts United|date=February 28, 2016|access-date=February 28, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301234041/http://www.blueshirtsunited.com/article/rangers-acquire-eric-staal-carolina|archive-date=March 1, 2016}}</ref> Eric joined brother [[Marc Staal|Marc]] in New York, but struggled for the Rangers, recording six points in 20 regular season games, and zero points in a five-game loss to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

====Minnesota Wild (2016–2020)====
During the subsequent offseason, Staal, as a free agent, signed a three-year contract with the [[Minnesota Wild]] on July 1, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wild.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=888130|title=Wild agrees to terms with Eric Staal|website=National Hockey League|date=July 1, 2016|access-date = July 1, 2016}}</ref> In his first season with the Wild, Staal recorded 28 goals and 65 points.

The [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]] was a memorable one for Staal as he played his 1,000th game on March 19, 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/eric-staal-1000-games-31817/c-287854594|title=Eric Staal Preps for 1,000th NHL Game|website=National Hockey League|date=December 11, 2017|access-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref> and was also invited to his fifth [[NHL All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Kayleigh Jackson |title=Look back: Eric Staal at 2018 All-Star Game |url=https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/lookback-asg-012818/c-295393550 |website=NHL.com |access-date=February 28, 2019 |date=January 28, 2019}}</ref> Staal ended the season registering 42 goals, having his first 40 plus goal season since 2008–09.

On February 25, 2019, Staal agreed to a two-year, $6.5 million extension with the Wild.<ref>{{cite web |title=Eric Staal agrees to two-year extension with Wild |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/26079649/eric-staal-agrees-extension-wild |website=ESPN.com |access-date=February 28, 2019 |date=February 25, 2019}}</ref> On December 15, 2019, Staal became the 89th player all-time to score 1000 career points.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McLellan |first1=Sarah |title=Patrick Kane's hat trick sends Blackhawks over Wild 5-3 at United Center |url=http://www.startribune.com/patrick-kane-s-hat-trick-sends-blackhawks-over-wild-5-3-at-united-center/566230882/ |website=Star Tribune |access-date=December 16, 2019}}</ref>

====Buffalo Sabres (2020–2021)====
After completing his fourth season with the Wild and entering his final season under contract, Staal was traded by Minnesota to the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in exchange for forward [[Marcus Johansson (ice hockey, born 1990)|Marcus Johansson]] on September 16, 2020.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-acquire-eric-staal-from-wild-in-trade-for-marcus-johansson/c-319062200 |title= Sabres acquire Eric Staal from Wild |website= [[National Hockey League]] | date=September 16, 2020|access-date = September 16, 2020}}</ref>

====Montreal Canadiens (2021)====
On March 26, 2021, the Buffalo Sabres traded Staal to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in exchange for third and fifth-round picks in the [[2021 NHL Entry Draft]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Canadiens land Staal from Sabres |url=https://www.tsn.ca/montreal-canadiens-working-to-acquire-eric-staal-from-buffalo-sabres-1.1614010 |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=November 2, 2021 |date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

====Iowa Wild (2022)====
As a free agent from the Canadiens, Staal remained un-signed leading into the [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22 season]]. Harbouring ambitions to represent Team Canada at the [[2022 Winter Olympics]], Staal resumed his professional career by agreeing to a professional try-out contract with the [[Iowa Wild]] of the AHL, an affiliate of former club the Minnesota Wild, on January 13, 2022.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.iowawild.com/news/detail/iowa-wild-signs-forward-eric-staal-to-pto | title = Iowa Wild signs forward Eric Staal to PTO | publisher = [[Iowa Wild]] | date = January 13, 2022 | accessdate = January 13, 2022}}</ref> Staal made his debut for Iowa the following day, collecting a goal and assist against the [[Chicago Wolves]] in marking his first AHL game in over 16 years. In 4 appearances with the Iowa Wild, Staal collected 2 goals and 5 points before he was released from his tryout on January 23, 2022.

====Florida Panthers and retirement (2022–2023)====
Staal did not play an NHL game in the [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22 season]]. In July 2022, Staal signed a professional tryout contract (PTO) with the [[Florida Panthers]], joining along with his brother Marc.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marc Staal signs one-year deal with Panthers, Eric Staal joins on PTO - Sportsnet.ca |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/marc-staal-signs-one-year-deal-with-panthers-eric-staal-joins-on-pto/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=www.sportsnet.ca}}</ref> Shortly after that, Staal signed a one-year contract with Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/eric-staal-agrees-to-deal-with-florida/c-336651902|title=Eric Staal agrees to one-year contract with Panthers|website=NHL.com|date=October 22, 2022|access-date=October 23, 2022}}</ref> In March 2023, Eric, along with his brother Marc, refused to wear [[LGBT pride|Pride]]-themed [[hockey jersey|jerseys]] in the pre-game warmups as a part of the Panthers' annual Pride Night; they cited their Christian faith as the reason for their decision and despite that Eric did wear a Pride-themed jersey as a member of the [[Montreal Canadiens]] during the [[2020–21 NHL season]].<ref>[https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/panthers-eric-staal-marc-staal-refuse-to-wear-pride-jerseys-skip-team-warmups/ Panthers' Eric Staal, Marc Staal refuse to wear Pride jerseys, skip team warmups]</ref> The rest of the Florida Panthers team members wore the jerseys during warmups to be later auctioned for charity.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Levesque |first1=Olivia |title=LGBTQ communities 'deserve better' as Marc, Eric Staal refuse to wear Pride jerseys, says Rainbow Collective |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/marc-eric-staal-pride-jersey-rainbow-collective-1.6789586 |website=CBC News |access-date=24 March 2023}}</ref>

On July 30, 2024, Staal signed a one-day contract with the Hurricanes and retired from professional hockey. On January 12, 2025 the Hurricanes retired Staal's number 12,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-12 |title=Eric Staal celebrated before Hurricanes game with number retirement ceremony {{!}} NHL.com |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/eric-staal-number-retirement-ceremony-carolina-hurricanes |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=www.nhl.com |language=en}}</ref> joining [[Glen Wesley]], [[Ron Francis]], and [[Rod Brind'Amour|Rod Brind’Amour]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAR Records |url=https://records.nhl.com/car/franchises/carolina-hurricanes/history |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=records.nhl.com}}</ref> in having their jerseys retired.