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Staal Skates Again on Thursday, Joining Rangers on Road Trip |
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The Rangers, coming off back-to-back strong efforts on consecutive nights leading into the holiday break, got more good news Thursday. Marc Staal, who has been sidelined with a concussion after taking a shoulder to the chin by Reid Boucher on December 7, will join the Rangers on their upcoming five-game road trip. Staal has been escalating his activity recently so it's major positive that he and the Rangers believe he is ready to travel with the team.
New York plays in Washington on Friday, then have contests against Tampa, Florida, Pittsburgh and Toronto. Staal skated on his own for several days, increasing the intensity earlier this week. I still expect him to first progress to contact practices prior to getting into a game, so while it's great he is traveling with the squad, I don't expect him to suit up until the contest against Florida or maybe Pittsburgh, but his likely imminent return would be a big boost. That would enable the Rangers to either keep McDonagh-Girardi together, especially after Girardi may have had one of his better games of the season against Toronto, or as I have suggested, re-pair Staal and Girardi and have Stralman move up to play with McDonagh. In addition, this could mean that New York would not have to get a defenseman back for Michael Del Zotto, which has been the rumored requirement nearly all season in any deal for him. (For a great look at Del Zotto, read
Travis Yost's blog).
Separately, Ryan Callahan will be traveling with the squad, but he is just two weeks into an expected four-to-six week absence due to a second degree sprained MCL, so this is likely just him coming on the road trip with the team and not a sign he is any closer to returning.
Brady Skjei went +1 for Team USA in their 5-1 opening game win over the Czech Republic in the WJC today in Sweden. Skjei is more of a defensive defenseman and saw time on the penalty kill for USA in the victory.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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