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New York Rangers: Five players who can’t blame Alain Vigneault

By Michael Delasandro

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 26: Skating in his 700th NHL game, Marc Staal
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 26: Skating in his 700th NHL game, Marc Staal /

Marc Staal

One of the most controversial players on the roster is aging defenseman Marc Staal. Taking an extreme step back from the days in which he ranked 16th in Norris voting. Staal exhibits many symptoms of a breaking down defenseman. One of the most notable issues Staal has is that his game has slowed down to an almost indefensible level. Staal demonstrates some occasional glimpses of offensive drive, as he rushes the puck up ice every game or so.

It can be argued that Staal and his lackluster performance is a result of Alain Vigneault using him improperly. This argument can be dispelled by using HERO charts, comparing Staal to a second pair defenseman archetype. Many of the factors are similar, if not a tad lower. Staal is a borderline second pair defenseman and is deployed as such most of the time.

Marc Staal certainly needs to turn things around rather fast.

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