2013-2014 NYR: A Look at the Defense

Feb 23, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal (18) during the warm-up session before the first period against Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Marc Staal (No. 18)

Easily can call Staal the teams #1b defenseman. An injury cut his season short last year only 21 games in. Staal took a slap shot that was deflected to the eye on March 5th against the Philadelphia Flyers. It was scary to watch the way he moved and squirmed in pain on the ice. He had surgery immediately following the incident and many weren’t sure if we would see him on the ice again. It seemed every time he was interviewed there wasn’t much improvement & his vision was no good. Then with the Rangers down 0-2 to the Washington Capitals in the playoffs, game 3 was his comeback game. First game back in over two months. He was a -1 and only registered 17.17 minutes in the game. But it was good to see him back out there. Until game 4 when the eye caused him to sit out again. He didn’t play another game for the team for the remainder of the playoffs but in recent interviews he says he is 100% and ready to go, which is a good sign. When Staal was on the ice for the Rangers last season he was +4 & tallied 2 goals and 9 assists. He was also 2nd on the team in TOI/G with 24.27 minutes. Injuries have seemed to plague him in the last two seasons but when healthy, Staal is not only the team’s best D-Man, he is one of the best shut down defenseman in the NHL. His offensive numbers haven’t gotten there yet but before injuries hit him his numbers were slowly increasing every season. Who knows maybe new coaching will help unlock some of his offensive potential in this upcoming season. Staal has 2 years left on his contract so if he wants to re-up with the Rangers I can expect his numbers to climb again this season. I’d say 6-10 goals & 20-22 assists is a realistic expectation for him.