By Dave Campbell, AP Sports Writer
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The offseason frenzy in professional sports that results from free agency can reduce players to commodities, assets to be obtained in order to fill a team’s need.
The open market has plenty to offer for a player, though, too, and the Minnesota Wild have been the perfect match for Eric Staal.
With a team-leading 16 goals at the All-Star break plus 25 assists to rank in the top 20 in the NHL in scoring, the lanky center has enjoyed a late-career resurgence at age 32 as the Wild have raced to the best record in the Western Conference.