Tag Archives: Marc Staal

Marc Staal Back on the Ice

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Marc Staal has started skating again and picked up his work routines to return to game shape.

This news couldn’t have come at a better time. The Rangers are hitting the final stretch of games right before the post-season and they’ll need Staal if they win enough games to sneak in as the 7th or 8th seed.

NHL: New York Rangers at Montreal Canadiens

Staal’s timetable for return hasn’t been determined yet because he’s still waiting for his vision to get better. Though, some concern has been raised because the doctors have informed him that his eye-sight my never return to 100%.

“It’s an adjustment, but there are a lot of guys who play without perfect vision in one eye,” said Staal. “I think it will be a situation of being out there and letting your more powerful eye take over.”

Even with Staal at 80% eye-sight will bring major improvement to a Rangers defense that’s been struggling.

With any luck Staal will be back in time for the playoffs and help the Rangers make a run for the Stanley Cup. Let’s just hope the Rangers win enough games to make that dream a reality.

Blockbuster Deal

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The trade deadline has passed and the rumors surrounding Marian Gaborik being traded have been completed. Gaborik, Steven Delisle and Blake Parlett were traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for forwards Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett, defenseman John Moore, and a 2014 sixth round draft pick.

The trade comes as no surprise because the Rangers have been lacking depth and balance on offense all season.

Gaborik is coming off the slowest statistical start of his career with only 9 goals and 10 assists, so it’s easy to see why the Rangers knew they could get some value for him before the trade deadline.

imgres Derek Dorsett is on injured reserve right now with a broken collarbone, but is expected to return right before the beginning of the playoffs.

images Derick Brassard brings a tougher presence to the rangers third line and someone who knows how to win face-offs.

imgres John Moore will add depth and youth to a relatively young defensive crew that is without star defenseman Marc Staal.

Overall, the trade should prove to add more stability to an inconsistent Rangers team that has shown flashes all year of how good they can be, but have not put it together for a full 60 minutes.

Even with the departure of 3 time 40-goal scorer like Gaborik the Rangers will make due with star players like Callahan and Nash leading the team.

The Arrival of Hamrlik

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The thirty-eight year old Roman Hamrlik was claimed off waivers Mar. 6 and now joins the blueshirts.

The move was in response to Marc Staal getting injured in the Rangers last game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Bringing in a player like Hamrlik will bring some veteran leadership that the Rangers have been lacking on the young defensive end.

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There’s no question that losing Staal will cause a little bit of an impact for the Rangers defensive rotation. Though, John Tortorella has done a great job all season pairing together the right lines in the right situations.

Incorporating Hamrlik into the rotation will be a fast one and he’ll benefit from being surrounded by a ton of young and talented defensemen.

His experience in the league will hopefully bring some jump and discipline to the Rangers defensively and keep them on track while Staal is out of the lineup.

Hamrlik also has something to prove after being dropped by the Washington Capitals this season by showing he’s still got the skills to play at his age.

The one stat that’s intriguing is that 14 out of the 16 seasons he’s been in the league the team he’s played for has gotten into the playoffs. Those odds might work in the Rangers favor.