from Dan Mizutani of the Pioneer Press,
Heading into Thursday night’s game against the Boston Bruins at Xcel Energy Center, Staal has been the Wild’s top center through the season’s first month and leads the Wild with 5 goals and 13 points in 15 games.
That’s one-third of his total production last season, when he split time between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers.
“I think being put in a position to play to my strengths has been key,” said Staal, who has 10 points over his last 10 games. “I came into the summer looking for an opportunity to show what I can do and play to the strengths of my game. And I came in here knowing there was an opportunity.
“No matter who I was (linemates) with, I was going to be playing with some pretty good players in a role that I’m comfortable and confident in.”
Staal came to Minnesota after Fletcher passed on top-tier forwards such as Okposo, Backes, Milan Lucic, Loui Eriksson, Andrew Ladd and Mikkel Boedker — the consensus cream of the free-agent crop last summer after Steven Stamkos re-upped early with Tampa Bay.
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