The Daily: Former Red Wings D Marc Staal spends Christmas with teammate & brother Eric

A year ago, Marc Staal was in his second second as a defenseman with the Detroit Red Wings. Brother Eric was out of hockey, wondering whether he still had a future in the game.

One phone call over the summer from Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito changed the direction of both siblings. Today, they are NHL teammates in the Sunshine State with the Panthers. Marc signed with the club as an unrestricted free agent. Eric, after accepting a PTO from the club, earned a spot with Florida in training camp.

For the first time in their NHL careers, the Staal brothers began an NHL season as teammates.

”It has been nice driving to the rink with him, talking about the games or what’s coming up next at practice,’’ Marc told George Richards of Florida Hockey Now. “It has been a lot of fun having him around.”

Their only prior experience on the same team came in 2016, when Eric joined Marc with the New York Rangers in an NHL trade deadline move.

Eric Staal scores against the New Jersey Devils to make it 1-0 #FLAvsNJD #TimeToHunt #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/kohIpYFyJ2

— nopClips (@nopClips) December 22, 2022

“It has been a joy to be out there competing and playing with my brother every night,” Eric Staal said

That also meant this past weekend they spent their first Christmas as teammates.

“We get together as much as we can,” Eric Staal said. “It is nice being able to have family together and being able to be here for those three days is terrific.”

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• At one time on the NHL schedule, the Red Wings held a Christmas presence
• Former Red Wings forward Steve Wochy is the second player in NHL history to celebrate his 100th birthday
• Taking stock of the Red Wings during the NHL holiday break
• Lightning coach Jon Cooper sees a lot of Tampa Bay influence in the systems being deployed by Detroit coach Derek Lalonde

Red Wings Next Game

Detroit returns from the Christmas break with a road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Red Wings are 1-5 in their last six visits to the Steel City.

Hockey Now Network

Calgary: Making a case for why the Flames could still emerge as Pacific Division champions.

Philadelphia: What will the Flyers do in goal if Carter Hart’s injury proves to be a long-term scenario?

San Jose: What sets Sharks defenseman Eric Karlsson out from other great players?

Pittsburgh: What does the future hold for Penguins center Teddy Blueger, who’s heading for unrestricted free agency at season’s end?

Vegas: A Christmas wish list for the Golden Knights.

Washington: Longtime Capitals teammate Nicklas Backstrom posted a tribute to Alex Ovechkin passing Gordie Howe on the NHL’s all-time goals list.

Dallas: Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston were both recently etching places in the Stars record book.

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Islanders: The injury-riddled New York Islanders were in need of a holiday break.

Colorado: Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week.

Boston: The Boston Bruins hit the holiday break as the No. 1 team in the NHL standings.

Montreal: Watch the top five fights of Canadiens’ Arber Xhekaj.