Staal, a veteran of 16 NHL seasons and 1,240 games, currently ranks in the top 10 among active NHL players in career regular-season games played (7th), goals (6th) and points (8th).
Last season, Staal was third among Wild skaters in goals (19) and points (47), tying for the team lead with 14 even-strength goals and earning his sixth career NHL All-Star Game selection. He signed a two-year contract extension with Minnesota in February 2019.
Along with new Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams, Staal helped lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship with an NHL-best 28 points (9+19) in the 2006 NHL Playoffs. He served as the captain of the Hurricanes for seven seasons and has been a captain or alternate captain in 12 of his 16 NHL seasons.
He is one of six actve NHL members of the Triple Gold Club, winning the 2006 Stanley Cup and gold medals with Canada at 2007 IIHF World Championship and 2010 Winter Olympics. The 35-year-old center has represented Canada in four major international competitions, captaining the nation's 2013 IIHF World Championship team.
He has played in six NHL All-Star Games and was selected as the All-Star Game MVP in 2008. He was also named to the NHL's second All-Star Team in 2005-06.
Johansson recorded 30 points in 60 games in 2019-20, his only season with the Sabres..
