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Marc Staal News & Rumors

Ryan Callahan tells Daily News his left hand is not bothering him, Marc Staal says he only had wind knocked out on Bernier hit
May 18
New York Daily News
 
"Ryan Callahan has one goal and two assists in his last 12 games, so the speculation is that the Rangers captain could be playing through an injury to his left hand from a blocked shot in the Ottawa series. But even if Callahan is injured, he wasn't letting on Friday after practice in Greenburgh. "No, nothing," Callahan told the Daily News when asked if his hand were injured. "Nothing. I'm good." Rangers defenseman Marc Staal, meanwhile, clarified that in Game 2 he only had the wind knocked out of him on a crushing third-period hit by Devils forward Steve Bernier that drew an interference penalty. Staal, who missed the first 36 games of the season with concussion symptoms, got up"
Rangers' Staal makes his Marc as big bro beams
May 9
New York Post
 
"It is all that has happened since that moment that creates an audible pride in Eric Staal's voice. It was Feb. 22, 2011 when Eric concussed his younger brother, Rangers defenseman Marc. After a long and difficult road back to his All-Star form, Marc put an exclamation point on his return Monday night at the Garden, when he scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the Rangers beat the Capitals, 3-2, in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal. It gave the Rangers a 3-2 series lead going into tonight's Game 6 in Washington. "For me, that's when the really, really good players come out to play," Eric told The Post yesterdayby phone from a golf course in North Carolina. "It's another"
Staal gives control back to Rangers
May 8
New York Post
 
"It has been a long time coming for Marc Staal, but as the buzzer sounded last night after his slap shot found the back of the net in overtime, the smile on his face was irrepressible. Staal had just played an exemplary game as his Rangers beat the Capitals, 3-2, in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, which is now in favor of the Blueshirts, 3-2. The best-of-seven series shifts to Washington for Game 6 tomorrow night. "We kept talking about it, plays that would open it up for us," Staal said afterward. "We just kept trying to come at them.""
Rangers shock Caps in OT after tying it with 6.6 left
May 8
New York Post
 
"They have recorded two of the most dramatic victories in franchise playoff history within six days, but there is still one more victory in the Eastern Conference semifinals to get for the Rangers. The Blueshirts were 6.6 seconds away from death's doorstep last night before escaping to record a breathtaking 3-2 Game 5 overtime victory over the Capitals at the Garden that reverberated across the Manhattan skyline, perhaps to Newark or Philadelphia. There was the 3-2 triple overtime victory in Game 3 last Wednesday/Thursday in D.C. that was a test of perseverance, and now there is this different manner of epic. Brad Richards pulled the Blueshirts away from the precipice by scoring at 19:53 of"
Girardi, Staal power Rangers on both ends
April 27
New York Post
 
"Foresight and faith found their reward. Led by the scoring of homegrown defensemen Marc Staal and Dan Girardi, the Rangers advanced past the Senators with a 2-1 win in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals last night at the Garden. Staal and Girardi were also key in fighting off late charges in the third period by the Senators, as the two tied with a game-high three blocked shots and played game-highs of 26:44 (Staal) and 25:49 (Girardi). "That's an ideal game for a defenseman, to keep the puck out of our end and get some stuff offensively," Girardi said. "We're trying to get up the ice as a decoy to create some more offense and it just happens that we get two goals tonight. When"
Rangers' Staal gets head start on Spezza
April 19
New York Post
 
"Marc Staal is no stranger to hits to the head. So when he put a lick on Jason Spezza in Wednesday night's 3-2 overtime loss to the Senators in Game 4, it was something to notice. With 2:18 left in the second period, Spezza came barreling into the offensive zone and Staal got his hands up, eventually pushing through Spezza and getting him in the head as Senators' alternate captain went down to the ice. "He kind of came into me more than me trying to come into him," Staal told The Post. "He came outside, I was going for the puck and he leaned in on me.""
'Staal' tactic could serve Rangers well
April 5
New York Post
 
"The Rangers have amassed the best record in the NHL through 80 games by mixing and matching on defense behind the redoubtable Dan Girardi-Ryan McDonagh first pair that is to this regular-season conference champions what the Zdeno Chara-Dennis Seidenberg tandem was to the 2011 Stanley Cup winning Bruins and the Duncan Keith-Brent Seabrook unit was to the 2010 Cup champion Blackhawks. But in order to achieve ultimate success in the playoffs, the Blueshirts, who face the Penguins tonight before Saturday's finale at the Garden against the Capitals, will need a strong, reliable second pair on which to lean. Girardi and McDonagh can't play 30 minutes a night into the middle of June, no matter"
Slow going for Rangers' Staal following concussion
February 11
New York Post
 
"This is where 2011-12 began for Marc Staal, on Jan. 2 on the outdoor rink at the ballpark across the parking lot from where the Rangers this afternoon will attempt to go 5-0 against the Flyers this season. It hasn't been a smooth ride for Staal, who missed the season's first 36 games with post-concussion issues arising from the blow he took last Feb. 22 in Carolina from his brother Eric. But the Rangers alternate captain said he believes he's making progress, even if it's the slow and steady kind. "I have high expectations of myself under any circumstance, and I want to be able to contribute to the success of a first-place team the way I know I'm capable of doing, but it's not quite there"
Staal family tradition anything but good one
January 4
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"This is becoming something of a family tradition for the Staals. And not an entirely pleasant one. Jordan Staal , a Penguins center, made his 2010-11 debut in the Winter Classic Jan. 1, 2011, at Heinz Field after missing 39 games because of a foot infection and broken hand. A year and a day later, his brother, Marc , a New York Rangers defenseman, made his first appearance of 2011-12 in the Winter Classic Monday at Philadelphia, returning from a concussion. Their older brother, Eric , a center with Carolina, surely cannot like the trend that seems to be developing. At least for the moment, though, the family's focus is on Marc's return to work. "Obviously, I'm very excited to see him"
Marc Staal to make debut in Classic
January 2
ESPN.com
 
"New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal will make his season debut in the Winter Classic against the Philadelphia Flyers. Coach John Tortorella delivered the surprising news just hours before the league's annual outdoor game, after telling reporters Sunday that Staal would not be available to play. Staal missed the first 36 games of the season because of lingering effects from a concussion sustained on a hit by his older brother Eric last February."
Rangers' Staal says past week 'has gone really well'
December 16
New York Post
 
"Rangers defenseman Marc Staal still doesn't know when he's going to play for the first time this season, but his progress in recovering from a concussion continued during Thursday's morning skate. "The past few days have been the hardest I've skated in a really long time," Staal said following the morning skate at the Scottrade Center before the Rangers open a three-game road trip against the Blues on Thursday. "The last week has gone really well. I've been ramping it up a little more." Staal has missed the entire start of the season after suffering a summertime setback related to a February injury, and knows he shouldn't look forward too much."
Marc Staal plans to return this season
December 2
Bergen Record
 
"The "bad days" are still a rare occurrence for Marc Staal as he continues to recover from a concussion. And while he has no timetable, the defenseman expects to play for the Rangers this season. "I think the rate of improvement the last month or so, I feel I'll be back and that's the plan," Staal said Thursday in his first public comments since Sept. 30. Staal, accompanying the Rangers for the second straight trip, had a light skate with injured left wing Mike Rupp at the RBC Center. Staal resumed skating Monday after being cleared for light workouts by Boston-based specialist Dr. Robert Cantu on Nov. 15. The RBC Center is, of course, where his brother, Eric, of the Hurricanes, leveled him"
Marc Staal returns to ice for first time
December 1
Newsday
 
"Marc Staal skated with his teammates -- well, one teammate -- on Thursday for the first time since post-concussion symptoms delayed his season indefinitely. The All-Star defenseman practiced with injured teammate Mike Rupp at the end of the Rangers' morning skate at the RBC Center. Staal's presence on the ice was a significant milestone in a comeback attempt that still has no definite timetable. "That's a long ways away," Staal said in his first comments since he was shut down for a month in early October. "I need to get my strength back and all that stuff along with feeling good as far as my head goes, too, so I have no idea [about a timetable]. I think the rate of improvement the last"
Eric Staal's hit not sole reason for brother Marc's concussion
November 12
New York Post
 
"Apparently the chore of answering a series of questions this week both in New Jersey and in Manhattan about the Eric Staal hit that concussed his brother, Marc, in Raleigh on Feb. 22 became a bit too much to bear for both Carolina coach Paul Maurice and for Eric Staal himself. Because following the club's morning skate at the Garden preceding last night's 5-1 loss to the Rangers, both of the aforementioned men for the first time, and in strikingly similar terms, sought to distance the Hurricanes' captain from the injury to his younger brother that has sidelined the Rangers' alternate captain all season. "It was a clean hit and his brother came back and played," Maurice said, referring to"
Torts not counting on Staal for road trip
October 11
New York Post
 
"As they have been for several weeks now, the Rangers are preparing for their upcoming five-game road trip without defenseman Marc Staal. The 24-year-old alternate captain, who is still dealing with post-concussion symptoms from a game against Carolina in February on a hit by his brother, Eric, won't be at the team's facility this week as he continues to undergo treatment. "I haven't talked to [Rangers trainer Jim Ramsay], but he continues to go through his whole situation with his doctors," coach John Tortorella said. "The last time I heard was two days ago when I talked to [Ramsay], and he was feeling good. "We just want to have him continue to go with his doctors, and that's what"
Rangers reopen talks with defenseman Mara, place Staal on injured list
October 6
New York Post
 
"Facing the prospect of perhaps playing the first month of the season without Marc Staal, the Rangers have reopened discussions with 32-year-old free agent defenseman Paul Mara, The Post has learned. If a contract agreement is reached, the idea would be for Mara, who played 156 games for the Rangers from late in 2006-07 through 2008-09, to join the club in New York on Monday after it returns from Europe. Mara would then have a full week of practice with the team before its next game, a week from Saturday against the Islanders at the Coliseum."
Staal won't be packing bags to join Rangers in Sweden
October 4
New York Daily News
 
"The Rangers should hope Monday's 8-4 drubbing at the hands of Ev Zug in their preseason finale is a result of a fatigue, and not a foreshadowing of what their defense will look like without Marc Staal on the ice. The team announced after their loss in Switzerland that Staal, the 24-year-old All-Star defenseman, will not be making the trip to Europe this week. That means the Rangers will open the regular season in Stockholm, Sweden - Friday against the Los Angeles Kings and Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks - without their top defenseman and alternate captain. The team reportedly is not considering placing Staal on injured reserve at this point."
Sather says Staal may not have a concussion; confident he'll join team in Europe
September 27
Bergen Record
 
"While Rangers general manager Glen Sather says the Rangers are always on the lookout for help on defense, he is not overly concerned by Marc Staal's continuing headaches. And, today at Citizen's Bank Pallpark in Philadelphia, where the NHL formally (and finally) announced the Rangers would face the Flyers in the outdoor Winter Classic on Jan. 2, Sather said the team was actually not sure what was causing Staal's headaches. Sather said ongoing tests are being conducted and the team is confident in having an answer soon. But Sather said while a concussion has not been ruled out, there are other things that could cause headaches such as Staal is experiencing. For instance, Sather mentioned,"
Rangers will invade Europe without Staal
September 26
New York Post
 
"When the Rangers leave for Europe following tonight's preseason game in Philadelphia, defenseman Marc Staal won't be with them. Rangers coach John Tortorella confirmed after yesterday's practice that Staal, who is dealing with post-concussion symptoms, will miss the beginning of the trip. But he also said Staal could join the team before the trip is over, and wouldn't rule him out of being in the lineup for the Rangers' regular-season opener on Oct. 7 against the Kings in Stockholm, Sweden. "Once he feels better, and we feel like he can get into all the things we want him to do to get ready for the regular season, he'll come out," Tortorella said."
Ranger's Concussion Was Not Disclosed
September 24
New York Times
 
"The disclosure by the Rangers this week that defenseman Marc Staal sustained a concussion last February has put a spotlight on the N.H.L.'s policy on public disclosure of injuries. Coach John Tortorella told reporters Sunday that Staal was being held out of training camp scrimmages because he was experiencing headaches from a concussion sustained Feb. 22 when he was hit by his brother Eric in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Staal also injured a knee on a separate hit in that game. The team listed the knee injury, not the concussion, as the reason Staal missed the next three games. In mid-March, Staal missed two more games with an undisclosed injury, which Tortorella said Sunday"
Rangers sitting Staal until concussion symptoms subside
September 21
New York Post
 
"Marc Staal, the Rangers' stalwart blueliner and one of their alternate captains, will not be in the lineup tonight when the team plays its first preseason game against the Devils in Albany. But the Rangers are hoping he will be back in two weeks when the games count. Staal, 24, -- who is entering his fifth year with the Rangers, and who makes up half of the Rangers' top defensive pair with Dan Girardi -- suffered a concussion after being hit by his older brother Eric on Feb. 22. He still is feeling the effects of the concussion, and the Rangers have been treading on the side of caution. Who can blame them? Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby suffered a concussion on Jan. 1 last season, and"
Marc Staal speaks for first time since concussion revelation
September 21
New York Daily News
 
"Marc Staal returned to skating today, and looked fine doing so, just as he did on Sunday before missing yesterday's session. After his workout, the All-Star defenseman spoke to the media, and in the interest of providing full context on the latest developments, the full text of what he said is below. The upshot is that, like John Tortorella has said, it is a very fluid situation. Taking things day by day is part of the nature of concussions, no matter how supposedly minor they may be. There's really no such thing as a minor concussion – it's a brain injury. Also, as has been said many times by many people, every concussion is different, and there is no way to predict how things will work"
Staal's setback hurts Rangers
September 20
New York Post
 
"The Rangers' search for a defenseman will become more serious following yesterday's setback that kept Marc Staal off the ice with re-occurring post-concussion symptoms. After coach John Tortorella reported on Sunday that Staal had been "progressing nicely" after experiencing headaches as late as late last week, the coach said yesterday the first-pair defenseman "just didn't feel good," upon reporting to the rink in the morning and as such was kept off the ice. "It's an ongoing, fluid situation," Tortorella said of Staal, whose continuing issues seven months after being concussed on a hit from his older brother Eric have alarm bells ringing within the organization. "This is the process"
Reports: Staal dealing with concussion symptoms
September 18
NHL.com
 
"New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal will not take part in training camp scrimmages or play in any of the team's three North American exhibition games due to lingering effects from a hit last season by his brother, Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal. Staal missed the next three games after the hit that took place in February, but played the remainder of the season without incident. During the summer, however, Staal started having problems."
Three choices, but only one Rangers 'C'
August 9
Bergen Record
 columnist Andrew Gross
"August figures to be a relatively quiet month for the Rangers if only because July was so successful, even if it will get busier toward the end as players return to the team's practice facility for informal skates. Come hectic September, though, with the start of training camp and preseason, one of the more frequently asked questions will be the choice of the Rangers' next captain given Chris Drury's buyout this summer. It seems to be a choice among three players, all with strong merits. Sparkplug right wing Ryan Callahan, 26, when healthy, assumed the role of de facto captain last season with Drury missing so much time due to injuries. No. 1 defenseman Marc Staal, 24, like Callahan, an"
Coach off the Marc
April 19
New York Post
 columnist Larry Brooks
"It's a time-honored tradition for a coach to engage in gamesmanship by working the officials between games of a playoff series. Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau did just that yesterday after his team fled New York following Sunday afternoon's Game 3, 3-2 defeat at the Garden to have a couple of days of practice back home before returning to Manhattan for Game 4 tomorrow night. But the coach's charges that the Rangers are headhunting the previously concussed Mike Green are baseless and shrill, no matter the tenor of his voice. His attempt at comparing Marc Staal's check on the defenseman at the 19-minute mark of the second period to the run Raffi Torres took at Brent Seabrook in Chicago on"
Bad break for Staal pays off
April 4
New York Post
 
"So if Marc Staal had been scratched across the chin with a high stick that drew even a trickle of blood, the perp would have received a four-minute double minor. But when Braydon Coburn merely broke Staal's nose with a high stick at 19:26 of the first period, the Flyers' defenseman was assessed a two-minute minor. "It seemed a little odd to me, so I asked about it," said Staal, who was gargantuan, blocking three shots, throwing three hits and adding an assist in 34:01 in the Rangers' 3-2 shootout triumph over the Flyers yesterday. "I was told that was the rule." That's not quite how Rule 60.3 reads, for in fact a high stick causing an injury (a broken nose qualifies) is grounds for a"
Rangers' Staal returns; angers Lundqvist in practice
March 25
New York Post
 
"Rangers defenseman Marc Staal, who has missed the past two games with a suspected left knee issue, pronounced himself good to go for Thursday night's match at the Garden against the Senators, but not before unleashing a slap shot at this morning's skate that knocked down Henrik Lundqvist after hitting the goaltender in the mask. Lundqvist, who has played the last two games with a stiff neck following Friday's goalmouth collision initiated by Montreal's Benoit Pouliot, seemed irritated, shouting before sending the puck back in the direction of the defensemen who were lined up on the blue line to shoot."
Rangers' Marc Staal expected back against Senators
March 24
ESPN.com
 
"New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal will return to the lineup Thursday against the Senators after missing the past two games with an undisclosed injury. Staal told reporters the news following the team's morning practice. "Yeah it will be good to get back in the lineup tonight and try and win another one at home," Staal said. "It's been hard to watch, but our team has been playing great and we're winning and it makes it a lot easier when you are watching wins.""
Injured Marc Staal sits
March 21
Bergen Record
 
"Defenseman Marc Staal missed Sunday's game with an undisclosed injury. "It's a body injury," said coach John Tortorella, adding he did not want to be specific this close to the playoffs to prevent opponents from targeting Staal. Staal needed three stitches over his right eye after being hit with a high stick in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Canadiens, though his eye did not swell shut. He also missed three games from Feb. 25 to March 1 with an injured left knee."
Marc Staal, Ruslan Fedotenko practice Wednesday as Rangers try to recover, prepare to face Wild
March 3
New York Daily News
 
"As they find themselves on ever shakier ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Rangers hope that they will be able to firm up their lineup Thursday night at the Garden when they face the Minnesota Wild for the first game in a stretch of three in four nights. All-Star defenseman Marc Staal, out the last three games with a sore knee, participated fully in Wednesday's practice in Greenburgh, as did winger Ruslan Fedotenko, who has missed two in a row since tweaking the shoulder he hurt in January. "I'm hopeful," said Staal, who plans to test his knee Thursday morning before deciding on his status for the game. "But I'm not going to say yes." The Rangers can use all the help they"
Setback for Marc Staal
March 2
Bergen Record
 
"Marc Staal (twisted left knee) missed his third straight game Tuesday night and coach John Tortorella acknowledged the All-Star defenseman suffered a "little bit" of a setback when he had to leave the ice toward the end of Monday's practice. "We think he's close but he's just not right," said Tortorella, adding he was not sure if Staal would be able to play Thursday against the Wild. Tortorella is hoping left wing Ruslan Fedotenko (left shoulder) will be able to return Thursday after missing his second straight game. Fedotenko participated in the team's optional morning skate but still is having some trouble shooting."
Marc Staal's sore knee remains questionable
March 2
New York Post
 
"Day-to-day last Wednesday has become a whole bunch of days for Marc Staal, who missed his third straight with a sore left knee in last night's 3-2 Garden defeat to the Sabres, and remains questionable for tomorrow night's match against the Wild. According to Rangers coach John Tortorella, Staal suffered a "little bit" of setback skating in Monday's practice. The defenseman, who had never missed a game to injury in his four-year career before he sitting out Friday's game in Washington after twisting his knee last Tuesday in Carolina, did not participate in yesterday's optional morning skate. When asked whether Staal would be able to go against the Wild in the finale of the current"
Bad time for streak to Staal
February 25
New York Post
 
"Of all the times for Marc Staal to miss his first game after playing in 247 straight since sitting out a pair of matches with the flu late in his rookie 2007-08 season, this wouldn't be the optimum night, not with the Blueshirts facing Alex Ovechkin and the Caps. Chances are, however, that Staal will miss only the third game of his career because of the left knee he twisted on the first shift of Tuesday's match in Carolina that forced him out the final 18:40 of the Blueshirts' 4-3 shootout victory. Staal, who did not participate in yesterday's practice at the Caps' training facility in Arlington, Va., will check with trainer Jim Ramsay to see whether he will be permitted to test the knee"
New York Rangers All-Star defenseman Marc Staal deciding if he can go vs. Capitals after early skate
February 25
New York Daily News
 
"After leaving the Rangers' 4-3 shootout victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday with a twisted left knee, All-Star defenseman Marc Staal did not practice Thursday, but plans to take the ice Friday morning in Washington and decide then whether he can play against the Capitals Friday night. Staal, one of six Rangers to appear in all 62 games this season, tried to play through the pain after a collision on his first shift Tuesday, and took a hard shoulder-to-shoulder hit from his brother Eric in the second period that he said "obviously didn't feel that nice," but did not relate to him being unable to finish the game. Staal said he remained "a little sore yesterday." Along with Staal,"
Proposal for Richards laughable
February 24
New York Post
 
"That Joe Nieuwendyk, GM of the Stars, who knew he had such a sense of humor? The Post has learned Nieuwendyk told Rangers GM Glen Sather on Tuesday that it would cost the Blueshirts three young studs off the roster, believed to be Marc Staal, Brandon Dubinsky and Derek Stepan, for the privilege of renting Brad Richards. Never mind that Richards, who has a no-move clause in his contract, has not yet been asked for a list of clubs for which he would be willing to waive it, according to agent Pat Morris in a phone conversation yesterday with The Post. Never mind that Richards, the elite center the Blueshirts so desperately need and covet, is still suffering post-concussion symptoms from a"
All business on ice for Staals
January 26
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"It was quite the attention-grabber, even in New York's famed Madison Square Garden, where nearly everything in sports has been seen or done. There was Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes hovering over his brother, New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal, who had been crunched into the boards. With players from both teams leaning over from the benches, craning necks to take it all in, Eric Staal was penalized late in the second period for charging his brother and was sent to the penalty box. Charging? Surely such a thing had to linger, creating some sibling resentment. Probably didn't talk or text or anything for days or weeks. "Yeah, they had dinner after the game, I think," said a"
Burrows knows spearing Staal was wrong, vows it won't happen again
January 15
Vancouver Province
 
"Alex Burrows has been on his best behaviour this NHL season. The known agitator and yapper has toned down his game and zipped his lip for the most part. Then came Thursday in Madison Square Garden where the Vancouver Canucks winger reminded Marc Staal that there's still an edge to his game. And maybe a dangerous one because it may warrant closer future scrutiny by referees. While battling for position in front of the New York Rangers net during the second period of a 1-0 loss, Burrows speared the defenceman between the legs. Staal fell, took a whack at Burrows and got a tripping minor. He was mad. John Tortorella was incensed. "It's ridiculous, it's dangerous," said the Rangers coach. "If"
Staal doesn't want to play with big bro
January 12
New York Post
 
"Marc Staal, the first Rangers' defenseman other than Brian Leetch to be named to play in an NHL All-Star Game since Kevin Lowe in 1993, wants no part of playing on the same team as big brother Eric, if he can help it. Chances are that the elder Staal, the Carolina captain who likely will be named captain of one of the teams for the match that will be played in Raleigh on Jan. 30, and thus will be in position to either choose or not choose his younger brother in the Jan. 28 Fantasy Draft during which the sides will be selected. And if Eric can help it, Team Staal will not be united. The fix apparently is in. "We talked about that," Marc Staal said before last night's 2-1 loss at the Garden"
Staal, Henrik named All-Stars
January 12
New York Post
 
"Marc Staal, selected by NHL Hockey Operations for the All-Star Game that will be played in Raleigh on Jan. 30, is the first Rangers defenseman other than Brian Leetch named to an All-Star roster since Kevin Lowe in 1993. The 23-year-old said he's told his older brother, Eric, the Hurricanes' captain who is likely to captain one of the squads in the choose-up game, not to select him in the Fantasy Draft that will be conducted two days prior. "I don't think I could handle being on his team," Marc Staal said. "He's too mouthy." Henrik Lundqvist was selected for his second All-Star Game -- his first was in Montreal in 2009 -- and Derek Stepan was one of 12 rookies chosen to participate in the"
Rangers like Staal being offensive
December 14
New York Post
 columnist Jay Greenberg
"There is a time to go and a time to stay. And Year Four of Marc Staal's NHL career is no time, figures Rangers coach John Tortorella, for one of the league's better shutdown defensemen to shut his mind to opportunities up ice. Safe is death, Tortorella has always proclaimed. Last trip to Pittsburgh, after a 1-0 lead the Rangers had nursed into the 57th minute turned into a 2-1 deficit, certainly there was no sense hanging around in their own end waiting for the clock to expire on an excruciating loss. With Henrik Lundqvist penalized for breaking his stick in frustration and the clouds hanging lower than Brandon Dubinsky's opinion of Sidney Crosby, Staal took off to take the pass of the"
Tough week for Staal-Girardi duo
December 12
New York Post
 
"Last night, Rick Nash. Tonight at the Garden, Alex Ovechkin. Wednesday in Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby. In other words, life will just get easier and easier for the Rangers and the shutdown defense pair of Marc Staal and Dan Girardi. "Thanks for the reminder," Staal said, chuckling, following the Blueshirts' 3-1 defeat here last night to the Blue Jackets. "We just look at it as a challenge and prepare that way." Staal, who played the point on the second power-play unit, finished with 26:05 of ice after getting 19:14 through the first two periods. Girardi, who did not get on the PP, played 20:29. "You can find times in the game when you can conserve your energy," said Staal, who scored his"
Staal set to escape punishment for Stajan hit
November 24
Calgary Herald
 
"So what do you think? Marc Staal, of the New York Rangers, catches Matt Stajan with his head turned Monday night just after dishing off the puck. The rugged rearguard flattens the Calgary centre with an open-ice body check that brings the denizens of Madison Square Garden to their feet. Stajan, meanwhile, staggers off the ice with the help of teammate Tim Jackman. It's a wonder he made it there. The high-impact collision immediately sparked debate on Twitter over the legality of the hit. For the record, Staal received no penalty on the play. But does it contravene Rule 48, which states: "A lateral or blind side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principal point of"
Staal gets 'A' vote of confidence
October 21
New York Post
 
"Marc Staal, eh? Yes, Marc Staal, "A." The Rangers have officially named their 23-year-old, fourth-year defenseman as an alternate captain, joining alternate Ryan Callahan as Blueshirt lettermen while captain Chris Drury and alternate Vinny Prospal remain sidelined with injuries. "It was unanimous between the coaches and management as far as this being the right thing to do," head coach John Tortorella said following yesterday's practice in preparation for tonight's game here against the Maple Leafs. "Marc is a big part of our core and of our leadership group.""
Callahan, Girardi, Dubinsky and Staal key to Rangers' season
October 9
New York Post
 
"Henrik Lundqvist and Marian Gaborik, the lone two names above the team title on the marquee, will be able to carry the Rangers only so far and for only so long. Where and when it all ends for the Blueshirts, who open against the Sabres tonight, largely will be dependent on the degree of growth of the corps of young Bluebloods. Their core features Ryan Callahan, Marc Staal, Brandon Dubinsky and Dan Girardi, each of whom is entering his fourth full season on Broadway. "The bottom line is that the kids are intact and the core is here," coach John Tortorella said. "They've stayed together. They've grown together. They're familiar with the team concept, and that's where we're going to get"
John Tortorella says Marc Staal is important pice of present, and future, for New York Rangers
September 18
New York Daily News
 
"When the Rangers start training camp Friday morning at their facility in Greenburgh, they'll do so with their entire roster together after Marc Staal agreed to a five-year, $19.875 million contract on Wednesday - and the 23-year-old defenseman is glad that he'll be able to join his teammates and not play the role of Darrelle Revis on skates. "I didn't really want to hold out, but I wasn't prepared to take (a deal) I wasn't really comfortable with," Staal said Thursday. "A couple of days ago, we got to something that we both agreed upon, and it's good." Staal, who was a restricted free agent, said he never engaged other teams in negotiations in search of an offer sheet - GM Glen Sather had"
Marc Staal, New York Rangers agree on five-year contract worth almost $20M
September 16
New York Daily News
 
"When the Rangers open training camp Friday, they'll be able to concentrate on hockey now that their biggest off-the-ice issue has been resolved. Marc Staal, the Blueshirts' top defenseman who engaged in a contract stalemate all summer after GM Glen Sather characterized their differences as a "chasm" at the draft in June, agreed to a five-year, $19.875 million contract. "I think both sides are satisfied with the final result," Staal's agent, Paul Krepelka, said via email. "Marc is pleased to be under contract with the New York Rangers for the next five years." Staal got the long-term security he wanted, while the Rangers, though now over the salary cap, got their man for a manageable"
Rangers, Marc Staal agree on 5-year deal
September 16
Bergen Record
 
"The Rangers will open training camp on Friday devoid of distractions after Marc Staal avoided a holdout by agreeing to a new deal on Wednesday. But with Staal definitely coming, the question becomes who's going. Staal, 23, the team's No. 1 defenseman, agreed to a five-year deal worth $19.875 million for an average of $3.975 million annually. The restricted free agent, who was not arbitration eligible, did not attract a offer sheet over the summer and Rangers general manager Glen Sather, who described the negotiations as a "chasm" in June, had said the team would match anything. "It was a long process but I believe both sides are comfortable with the end result," said Staal's agent, Paul"
Marc Staal agrees to five-year deal
September 15
Bergen Record
 
"The Rangers confirmed this afternoon they have agreed to a new contract with restricted free agent Marc Staal, their No. 1 defenseman. The team did not announce terms of the deal but the contract is for five years at a reported $3.975 million per season. The deal allows Staal, 23, to report on time for training camp, which opens Friday. Previously, coach John Tortorella said he did not want Staal in camp without a contract because he didn't want any distractions. Various reports in the last week, including here at Ranger Rants, indicated the sides were getting close and, since then, various reports have indicated the deal was expected to be done before the start of training camp. During"