The captain is back.
Eric Staal is healthy. He says he's a little leaner. He says he's ready to get back on the ice, ready to lead the Canes by example.
While much has changed for the Canes, Staal is a constant. He's the player everyone will look to for the big goals, for the big plays. He's a player many believe belongs among the NHL's elite, but also a player going into this season with something to prove.
"I'm like everybody else on this team, making sure we're pushing forward and getting better every day," Staal said today at the RecZone. "For me, it's about getting to know some of these (younger) guys and making sure they're pushing themselves to be better and to make our team better."
Last season was stressful for Staal, personally. He was slowed by groin, oblique and triceps injuries. His sister-in-law died of cancer.
Bur Staal soldiered on. He inherited the captaincy from Rod Brind'Amour. He won Olympic gold with Team Canada. He was at his best late in the season as the Canes made a futile run to try and get in the playoff chase.
A little added motivation this season?
"For me, I think I push hard every summer, no matter what," Staal said. "Obviously there was some disappointment with missing the playoffs last year and the start we had and the frustration with the injuries. Some of it I couldn't control, some of it I did my best to control.
"This summer I worked as hard as I could to make sure I can hopefully stay healthy. I feel like I'm in great shape. I'm excited about the changeover, the new guys, the fresh faces. Just the total excitment around the whole team.
Staal spent most of the summer in Thunder Bay, Ontario, with his family. The Staals flew back into Raleigh on Sunday, with little brother Jared waiting to pick them up at RDU ("That was a little weird," Eric said, smiling).
Eric worked out off the ice today at the RecZone with Brind'Amour. He said he weighs 205 pounds but feels a little leaner after "losing a little of the bad weight."
Staal's father, he said, was driving from Thunder Bay with his hockey gear and he said he will be on the RecZone ice tomorrow.
"I'm just looking forward to getting started and trying to do my thing," he said. "I feel strong and I feel really good."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Staal might be the captain,
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 13:45 — CUPOFTEAStaal might be the captain, but he's not the Warchief. That honor and title remains with Brind'Amour.
He can't spell either
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 09:49 — buffalo66th"For me, I think I push hard every summer, no matter what," Staal said. "Obviously there was some disappointment with missing the playoffs last year and the start we had and the frustration with the injurie. Some of it I couldn't control, some of it I did my best to control.
by the way..
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 07:08 — louis12580Buffalo is really spelled with 6 "L's."
You mean #12 didn't type the story??
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 08:59 — buffalo66thI was responding, tongue-in-cheek, to the comment that basically Staal was no B'A and I get obtuse responses. If any of you guys really think I believe Staal is at fault for the typo then I've got some land in Clayton that you might want to buy...
Obtuse?
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 09:22 — richardfocObtuse? Really? In what way? You said "He can't spell either" and pointed out the typo in the blog post and that's supposed to somehow reinforce the point made by CUPOFTEA in the first post and you call us obtuse? If you say so.
Eh...
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 21:50 — Biff_BeersThat's the Canadian spelling for injury, isn't it?
Huh...
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 15:04 — richardfocBuffalo,
Are you suggesting that Staal can't spell? Do you think he provided the above info in the form of a letter or something? He was interviewed...you know, the reporter talked to him...and when Chip was writing the blog post a typo occured. Kind of obvious don't you think?
maybe...
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 10:15 — louis12580it was supposed to read "injuries" and it was a typo. Of course this was pointed out by someone who uses" buffalo" in their user name. Winner!