Eric Staal, now 40, was asked how he spends his time in retirement. He smiled. “Lots of Saturdays in a row,” he said, sounding the common retirement refrain.

Eric Staal came to the Carolina Hurricanes with the idea of wearing No. 12 in the NHL and carving out a career. His father, Henry, had worn it years before in college in Canada, ...

Eric Staal, now 40, was asked how he spends his time in retirement. He smiled. “Lots of Saturdays in a row,” he said, sounding the common retirement refrain.

Eric Staal was traded to the New York Rangers on Feb. 28, 2016, joining another brother, Marc. After 909 regular-season games and 43 playoff games, his time with Carolina ended.

Veteran forward Eric Staal and the Florida Panthers have agreed to terms on a one-year, $750,000 contract, a deal that makes him a teammate again with his younger brother Marc Staal.

Eric Staal, who played for the Carolina Hurricanes from 2003-2016, has announced his retirement from the NHL. The Hurricanes plan to retire Staal's No. 12 jersey.

In 13 seasons, Eric Staal has missed only 22 games. If it had been 20, Game 1,000 would have aligned perfectly with where it all started for him — Carolina on Thursday night.

Eric Staal, who officially retired Tuesday, faced enormous expectations to save a franchise that had fallen all the way to the bottom. He needed less than three years.

Eric Staal played 12 of his 18 seasons in the NHL with the Canes. Sunday, he’ll notch another milestone: His jersey will be retired at Lenovo Center.

Eric Staal, now 40, was asked how he spends his time in retirement. He smiled. “Lots of Saturdays in a row,” he said, sounding the common retirement refrain.

Eric Staal was traded to the New York Rangers on Feb. 28, 2016, joining another brother, Marc. After 909 regular-season games and 43 playoff games, his time with Carolina ended.