Over 150 games. Over 1000 blocked shots. Three conference finals. One Stanley Cup Final. New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal has been a cornerstone of the Blueshirts since 2007, but his time on Broadway has been, and inevitably is, coming to end.
Contract Situation
First off, let’s talk about the obvious need for his departure. His cap hit is tremendous with a salary that is outdated and outweighed. Thankfully, his mega contract has just one year remaining.
His annual average salary of $5.7 million is comparable to those of Justin Schultz, Seth Jones, and Duncan Keith. The two men have a combined seven All-Star Game appearances compared to Staal’s one.
With the likes of first pairing defensemen Brady Skjei and Jacob Trouba recently signing huge contracts, there just simply isn’t any place for Staal in the lineup or on a hefty check.
Numbers Don’t Lie
Yes, All-Star Games may not mean everything, but Marc Staal’s efficiency on both ends of the ice isn’t cutting it.
In the past five seasons, the 32-year-old has registered 48 points…total. For a guy who is getting paid like a top three defenseman, his numbers are more like those of a bottom pair d-man.
A point that can be made is that you can’t overlook his importance on the penalty kill.
But does the former first-round draft pick deserve credit for being the backbone of a PK that finished on average the 21st worst during the past four years? That’s yours to debate.
The long-lasting injuries
It’s no secret that the veteran blue-liner has been plagued with injuries throughout his career.
In February 2011, in a collision with his brother Eric, he suffered a concussion that would start a downhill slope of medical issues.
To make matters worse, he was given the green light to finish off that season despite concussion-like symptoms.
Only a season later, during the 2012 lockout-shortened campaign, Staal took a slapshot to the eye which caused a retinal tear and ultimately sidelined him for the rest of the season excluding one playoff game.
In spite of being able to log hundreds of more games after the near career-ending scare, occasional scratches due to “lower/upper body injuries” are the cause of too much worry.
And now, as he recovers from surgery on an infected ankle, I wonder how much longer he can go beyond his current 13th year in the league.
There is too much talent on the way
Right now, the Rangers find themselves facing a severe defensive logjam. Even with one of their alternate captains out of the lineup, there are still six solid defensemen carrying the load. And that’s with Brendan Smith at forward.
The Rangers D-core is young and talented with promising prospects growing across the globe as we speak.
Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren have already shown themselves as a real solid NHL pairing with Fox slowly blooming into a star in front of our eyes.
2018 first-round picks K’Andre Miller and Nils Lundkvist are showing out in their own rights as well.
Miller has quickly become the number one defenseman at Wisconsin after a spectacular freshman season. To go along with his 6’4″ frame, he has also received Big Ten and national recognition as a top tier defenseman with the Badgers.
If you want a dynamic puck moving defenseman, look no further than Nils Lundkvist who is currently on pace to average a little under a PPG in the Swedish Hockey League.
Last but not least, Joey Keane is proving himself with the Hartford Wolfpack. He is second among all AHL defenseman in goals with seven and is second on the Wolfpack with 13 points. A right-handed shot with solid size is coveted these days, and a call-up to the big leagues is certainly in the near future for Keane.
This isn’t meant to be a piece criticizing a man who has dedicated his blood, sweat, and tears into this organization for the past 13 years. Rather, it’s a reality check. If Marc Staal does indeed slide back into the lineup when he returns from injury, that’s great. But if coach David Quinn sees it better to give a young gun like Ryan Lindgren ice time, that’s fantastic too. Marc Staal is 32, his stats are declining, and he isn’t someone who can be relied on day in and day out anymore.
If you are a Blueshirt faithful like me and happen to feel the same way in regards to Staal’s future with the organization, please give him your gratitude for being a leader and key piece of the past and future of the New York Rangers.