NHL News: Eric Staal signs with Panthers, Avs’ Devon Toews out, and more
The Florida Panthers have signed veteran forward Eric Staal to a one-year, $750,000 deal, ESPN reported Friday.
The soon-to-be 38-year-old (Oct. 29) and former Stanley Cup winner joins his sixth NHL franchise.
Staal’s younger brother, Marc, is in his first season with the Panthers.
Eric Staal signs with Panthers
Eric Staal had a professional tryout with Florida this offseason and general manager Bill Zito said this week that the club was trying to fit him under the salary cap.
“Eric is an experienced leader in this League and a tremendous competitor,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. “His professionalism and veteran mindset will add value to our locker room on and off the ice.”
NHL.com
He ranks seventh among active players with 1,034 points (441 goals, 593 assists) in 1,293 games with the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens.
Carolina drafted him No. 2 overall in 2003 and he won a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006.
Devon Toews out for Avs

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bender announced today that defenseman Devon Toews will miss their next game against the Seattle Kraken on Friday night.
The undisclosed injury occurred in the team’s loss to the Jets on Wednesday.
“He’s going to miss tonight and possibly tomorrow (against the Vegas Golden Knights), I’m thinking,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “He’s a little bit sore but it’s good news. Should be short term.”
NHL.com
Toews, 28, has recorded 3 assists in 4 games this season.
Jake Sanderson takes stick to mouth
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson will have an X-ray to check for further damage after taking a stick to the mouth on Thursday night.
The 20-year-old rookie told The Athletic he needed about 15 stitches on his lip following the Senators’ 5-2 win over the visiting Washington Capitals.
It was just the fourth career game for Sanderson, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. He has one assist so far this season.
Blackhawks active Jake McCabe
Chicago Blackhawks activated defenseman Jake McCabe off injured reserve on Friday.
McCabe underwent cervical spine surgery on Sept. 13 and was expected to require 10 to 12 weeks for recovery.
McCabe, 29, had career-high totals in assists (18) and points (22) in 75 games during his first season with Chicago in 2021-22. He signed a four-year, $16 million contract prior to the season.
McCabe has 99 points (22 goals, 77 assists) in 428 career games with the Buffalo Sabres (2013-21) and Blackhawks. He was selected by the Sabres in the second round of the 2012 NHL Draft.
–Field Level Media contributed to this article