Staal, Julien could see hopes of NHL return boosted by Olympic performances

Eric Staal wasn’t aiming to participate in his third Olympics.

Claude Julien, in the meantime, agreed to teach Canada at two December tournaments merely to get again behind the bench.

The COVID-19 pandemic has, in fact, closed loads of doorways.

However for Staal and Julien, it’s opened one other huge open — and there’s an opportunity it may finally lead each males again to the NHL.

The embellished duo is about to steer Canada’s Olympic males’s hockey crew on the upcoming Beijing Video games after the NHL withdrew from the match final month due to coronavirus considerations.

And whereas followers are disenchanted the likes of Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Alex Ovechkin gained’t be heading to China to battle for gold, gamers and coaches like Staal and Julien have a possibility they certainly didn’t assume was reasonable just a few months in the past.

“The concept and the aim was initially to get again within the NHL,” stated the 37-year-old Staal, who had been skating on his personal earlier than suiting up for a string of video games with the AHL’s Iowa Wild earlier this month after Hockey Canada got here calling.

“Humorous how issues work, and the way issues work out.”

One other NHL shot may very effectively be within the playing cards for Staal — and veteran of 1,376 NHL video games, a Stanley Cup champion, and the doubtless captain of a Canadian squad that includes a lot of younger gamers — with Olympic exhibiting.

“This chance was one thing that's too good to cross up,” he added.

Fired by the Montreal Canadiens for a second time final February, Julien can even have loads of eyes on him because the nation seems to be to medal for a second straight non-NHL Olympics following its bronze 4 years in the past in Pyeongchang.

“Being given that chance is excellent,” stated the 61-year-old, who was an assistant when Canada topped the rostrum with NHLers in 2014. “I’m feeling extraordinarily fortunate to be on this place.

“I need to reap the benefits of it.”

Julien has been behind the bench for 1,399 NHL video games, gained the Jack Adams Award as coach of the 12 months, and helped information the Boston Bruins to the Cup.

“He’s clearly had loads of success,” stated Staal, who was on Canada’s Olympic taxi squad in 2006 and registered six factors in seven video games to assist seize gold in 2010. “His file — his resume — speaks for itself.”

Julien stated Staal’s worth to Canada will come each on and off the ice in Beijing.

“You may by no means underestimate expertise, the expertise of getting lived by way of it,” stated Julien, who has gamers from seven totally different leagues on the 2022 roster. “(Coaches) do the very best you may to deliver the crew collectively, however there’s received to be a few of that taking place contained in the dressing room.

“That’s the place guys like that may be actually useful.”

Canadian basic supervisor Shane Doan stated Staal, who additionally gained gold on the world championships in 2007, proved he may nonetheless get the job accomplished throughout that AHL stint.

“If you consider Crew Canada, you consider a man like Eric Staal,” Doan stated. “That provides credibility to the group.”

Staal, nevertheless, wanted a thumbs as much as chase one other medal — and maybe breathe new life into his NHL profession — from his spouse and three sons after spending loads of time away from the household taking part in in Montreal as a part of the Canadiens’ inconceivable run to final season’s last.

“They had been actually pushing me to do it,” he stated. “Simply over the moon excited.”

Doan, in the meantime, has been impressed by Julien since each signed up with Hockey Canada for Russia’s Channel One Cup and the Spengler Cup in Switzerland — the latter was cancelled on account of COVID-19 — and as standbys in case the NHL nixed its Olympic plans.

“A person of character and integrity,” Doan stated. “He may have that vanity or that presence that’s intimidating, and but he simply unarms the individuals after they come within the room.

“It’s in all probability considered one of his largest strengths.”

There are solely 32 NHL teaching jobs, so Julien might need to attend for his subsequent alternative it doesn't matter what occurs subsequent month.

However Staal, like a few veterans in search of one final shot after the 2018 Olympics, is banking on groups seeing speedy worth in what he hopes to herald Beijing.

“I’d wish to assume for me it’s simply one other chapter in my profession and my hockey e-book that ends in the fitting consequence,” he stated. “Typically a possibility like this falls in your lap, and you'll want to cherish and relish that second.

“If it goes nice, and I’m part of this success, we’ll see what lies after this match.”

KREIDER’S HEATER

Rangers ahead Chris Kreider sat sixth in objectives within the NHL the morning of Jan. 13, 5 again of Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl, and two adrift of Toronto Maple Leafs centre Matthews and Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin.

After discovering the again of the online 9 occasions in New York’s final six video games, nevertheless, Kreider sat alone atop the Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy race with a fair 30 heading into Wednesday’s motion.

PAVELSKI’S PUSH

Dallas Stars centre Joe Pavelski has additionally been making strikes on the stats sheet.

The 37-year-old has a league-leading 27 factors in his final 14 video games courting again to Dec. 17. Included in these numbers are 10 objectives and an NHL-best 19 factors at even power over that span.

Pavelski has 48 factors in 40 video games to take a seat tied for ninth in league scoring heading into Wednesday.

“This isn't a fluke,” Stars head coach Rick Bowness stated following Pavelski’s two-goal, two-assist efficiency in Tuesday’s 5-1 highway win towards the New Jersey Devils. “He works very arduous. He’s a real professional, nice character, and an excellent teammate.

“It’s the consistency at this age, at this stage, that he performs with that’s probably the most spectacular factor.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan. 26, 2022.

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