If this is AV and the Rangers Chase the Chalice III, then Eric Staal is the character actor hired to advance the narrative in the movie’s second sequel; sort of like Sean Connery joining the Raiders franchise playing Indy’s dad.
For while 13 of them are taking at least their third crack at it as a unit and six of them have been together through the six straight years the Blueshirts have qualified for the tournament, Staal is going to the party for the first time since 2009 and only the second time since joining the NHL with the Hurricanes in 2003-04.