Free agent forward Eric Staal to sign a PTO in the American Hockey League

After becoming a free agent on July 28th, NHL opportunities didn't come knocking for Eric Staal. He returned to his home in Minnesota and according to his agent, has been working out and skating every single day in hopes of an NHL return.

It may not be an NHL return, yet, but Eric Staal is expected to suit up in the American Hockey League this weekend, he told Ken Campbell.

As was reported by The Athletic last week, Eric Staal is on Hockey Canada's long list for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. There's a good chance that Staal will be on Team Canada, which will be his second Olympic appearance (first time was in 2010 in Vancouver). But before he's named to the roster, Hockey Canada probably wants him to get some game action since he hasn't played a game since July 7th.

"Just chatted with Eric Staal, who's en route to Iowa from his home in Minny. Plan is for him to sign an AHL PTO and play with the Iowa Wild this weekend and next week before hopefully joining the Canadian Olympic team. Nothing is set yet, but that appears to be the plan," Ken Campbell said in a tweet on Wednesday.

Staal, 37, split the 2020-21 season between the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens. In 53 regular season games, he recorded 13 points (5 G, 8 A), 10 penalty minutes and was a -30. He went on to add 8 points in 21 playoff games during Montreal's run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Just chatted with Eric Staal, who's en route to Iowa from his home in Minny. Plan is for him to sign an AHL PTO and play with the Iowa Wild this weekend and next week before hopefully joining the Canadian Olympic team. Nothing is set yet, but that appears to be the plan.— Ken Campbell (@Ken_Campbell27) January 12, 2022

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