New York Rangers: Does Marc Staal’s inability to adapt signify an end?

A league-wide shift

The ability of NHL players and the quality of the game has increased across the board.

Because of this,  the league’s perception of what makes a defenseman valuable has changed. Where in the past, defensemen relied on their size and physicality to control play, higher valued defensemen today are quick, can move the puck and have the ability to play a two-way game.

When you think of some of the top defensive players in the league this year — Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns, Drew Doughty, etc. —  all of them contain this ability to overpower opponents, regardless of where they are on the ice.

This shift in what is valued makes big bodied, stand-your-ground defensemen like Staal less effective.

The focus of these players has started to center on playing defense in the corners and stopping plays before they can occur. There is less man-on-man defense and more zone coverage. Rather than chasing the puck, the focus

Rather than chasing the puck, the focus is to try to cut off passing and shooting lanes and ultimately take chances away in front of the net. There is a level of calm and security that all of these players emit whether they be deep in the zone or playing from the blueline. Yes, they have size and are physical, and yes, they can be physical. However, the focus always remains on breaking up plays before they can occur.

Yes, they have size and are physical, and yes, they can be physical. However, the focus always remains on breaking up plays before they can occur.

It also seems to be another area that Marc Staal struggles to understand.