The same can be said for Staal too, no?

I don't see why either one of them would retire, but it will surely be mentioned hundreds of times until decisions are made.
- WineryDog

Much better chance of Hank retiring than Staal. Hank's Ranger and NHL legacy is set in stone (no he doesn't have a Cup ring), for sure Hall of Famer. With the uncertainty of everything w the Coveed and TBH NYC in general with 3 kids I could see him calling it a career and spending time with his family.

The same can be said for Staal too, no?

I don't see why either one of them would retire, but it will surely be mentioned hundreds of times until decisions are made.
- WineryDog

I don't get the hate for Staal this offseason. He played fine under sheltered minutes, and realistically who takes his place? We already have a need for a left side Dman. Not to mention his NMC. I doubt he's gone this year. With so many cost controlled guys, his contract isn't even a burden.

We can get by with one more year of Staalsy and then shake hands on a great career with the Rangers.

I don't get the hate for Staal this offseason. He played fine under sheltered minutes, and realistically who takes his place? We already have a need for a left side Dman. Not to mention his NMC. I doubt he's gone this year. With so many cost controlled guys, his contract isn't even a burden.

We can get by with one more year of Staalsy and then shake hands on a great career with the Rangers.
- Bean_Dip

Yeah, he isn't getting traded, and there is no one to take his spot.

Well thats the thing. Almost every fan of every team wants to give up scrubs to get another teams good players or pics. Why most trade scenarios on HB are the product of having the IQ of a carrot.
- mdw7413

I don't get the hate for Staal this offseason. He played fine under sheltered minutes, and realistically who takes his place? We already have a need for a left side Dman. Not to mention his NMC. I doubt he's gone this year. With so many cost controlled guys, his contract isn't even a burden.

We can get by with one more year of Staalsy and then shake hands on a great career with the Rangers.
- Bean_Dip

I just think if the Rangers want to be considered a playoff team Staal can't be playing regular minutes anymore. The dude can barely move. He is only semi useful on the PK cause he can stand in front, block shots and use his long reach. He should be the 7th d man next year

- Mtlca66

Thanks for the temporary seizure from the code

Thanks for the temporary seizure from the code
- mdw7413

hahaha i know it was intense.

I just think if the Rangers want to be considered a playoff team Staal can't be playing regular minutes anymore. The dude can barely move. He is only semi useful on the PK cause he can stand in front, block shots and use his long reach. He should be the 7th d man next year
- TPC

Who's taking his spot?

Who's taking his spot?
- mdw7413

I would rather you honestly

But I think K'Andre Miller makes the team out of camp

I don't get the hate for Staal this offseason. He played fine under sheltered minutes, and realistically who takes his place? We already have a need for a left side Dman. Not to mention his NMC. I doubt he's gone this year. With so many cost controlled guys, his contract isn't even a burden.

We can get by with one more year of Staalsy and then shake hands on a great career with the Rangers.
- Bean_Dip

I think hate is the wrong word for Staal here. In a cap world, you simply can't have a guy counting $5.7 mill and playing "sheltered minutes" on the roster. If we have to keep him for next season, its not the end of the world, but he CANNOT be in the top 6 if we are going to ice a team with playoff aspirations. We need an upgrade here and if Hajek or Miller isn't ready, we have to import somebody.

I would rather you honestly

But I think K'Andre Miller makes the team out of camp
- TPC

You know my thoughts on Miller, but I would still trust Staal over a Miller rookie season. They could do a rotation thing. I actually think Staal could help Miller a ton on the defense side

You know my thoughts on Miller, but I would still trust Staal over a Miller rookie season. They could do a rotation thing. I actually think Staal could help Miller a ton on the defense side
- mdw7413

Yea as a 7th D man Staal would still play some, I just don't think he should be in there every game anymore.

Yea as a 7th D man Staal would still play some, I just don't think he should be in there every game anymore.
- TPC

I agree with that

I think hate is the wrong word for Staal here. In a cap world, you simply can't have a guy counting $5.7 mill and playing "sheltered minutes" on the roster. If we have to keep him for next season, its not the end of the world, but he CANNOT be in the top 6 if we are going to ice a team with playoff aspirations. We need an upgrade here and if Hajek or Miller isn't ready, we have to import somebody.
- TommyGTrain

Smith played fine when paired with Trouba. Not saying that’s an ideal fit but it’s not the end of the world for 1 more year. The argument could be made Fox and Lindgren are our top pair. We could see how Miller plays out, if not go with Trouba and Smith. Next year the possibilities are endless but I don’t want to commit to anyone outside of the organization that’s going to block these kids we’ve waited years to watch. Maybe Hajek steps up this year to pair with Trouba and Miller plays with ADA. No matter what though, I doubt Staal sits as the 7th dman, he’s going to be in the lineup somewhere.

I agree with that
- mdw7413

I just can't agree about Staal being serviceable anymore. It seems like every time a puck went in the net Staal was somewhere close by bent over at his waist 3 steps too late to make a play.

I would prefer to have a young player in the same situation because they did not read the play quickly enough so that they can learn from it and improve rather than Staal who knows what to do and just physically can't do it.

On the flip side, Staal was also frequently late arriving to the far side boards to hold the puck in the offensive zone and struggles to make quick breakout passes instead opting to float the puck off the boards which kills controlled breakouts. He's a detriment on both ends of the ice.

If Hank retires Staal might not have to go since he only has 1 year left but it would be a loyalty and leadership thing not a competitive move. If Hank stays 100% Staal has to go regardless of the path to the door.

I just think if the Rangers want to be considered a playoff team Staal can't be playing regular minutes anymore. The dude can barely move. He is only semi useful on the PK cause he can stand in front, block shots and use his long reach. He should be the 7th d man next year
- TPC

Staal is the problem, but his cap hit is. There is one more year left, we will be fine.

In order for this team to be a playoff team we need more production from the bottom 6.

Smith played fine when paired with Trouba. Not saying that’s an ideal fit but it’s not the end of the world for 1 more year. The argument could be made Fox and Lindgren are our top pair. We could see how Miller plays out, if not go with Trouba and Smith. Next year the possibilities are endless but I don’t want to commit to anyone outside of the organization that’s going to block these kids we’ve waited years to watch. Maybe Hajek steps up this year to pair with Trouba and Miller plays with ADA. No matter what though, I doubt Staal sits as the 7th dman, he’s going to be in the lineup somewhere.
- nyrangers9479

I thought Smith looked pretty good after the break. He's not a top pair guy or worth $4M but he filled in admirably and made some solid plays. Just like Staal though, if Hank retires Smith is saved. If not, Smith has to be a casualty

- TPC

I don't get the hate for Staal this offseason. He played fine under sheltered minutes, and realistically who takes his place? We already have a need for a left side Dman. Not to mention his NMC. I doubt he's gone this year. With so many cost controlled guys, his contract isn't even a burden.

We can get by with one more year of Staalsy and then shake hands on a great career with the Rangers.
- Bean_Dip

I don’t get it either. Staal wasn’t bad this year. 3rd pair, or 7th D, is fine by me for another year

I just can't agree about Staal being serviceable anymore. It seems like every time a puck went in the net Staal was somewhere close by bent over at his waist 3 steps too late to make a play.

I would prefer to have a young player in the same situation because they did not read the play quickly enough so that they can learn from it and improve rather than Staal who knows what to do and just physically can't do it.

On the flip side, Staal was also frequently late arriving to the far side boards to hold the puck in the offensive zone and struggles to make quick breakout passes instead opting to float the puck off the boards which kills controlled breakouts. He's a detriment on both ends of the ice.

If Hank retires Staal might not have to go since he only has 1 year left but it would be a loyalty and leadership thing not a competitive move. If Hank stays 100% Staal has to go regardless of the path to the door.
- Maskdman3

I agree that the kids need to have a shot, but Staal does not need to be moved to make this happen. In fact, it's a great hedge to have someone like Staal as the 7th guy to rotate with Miller/Hajek/(enter young gun here).

I also get your point on his play. He's not the best, but at least he gets how to play a defensive role. Is it a coincidence that ADA was his pairing all season and they struggled defensively? Another reason why it might be wise to move on from ADA...

His contract isn't an issue either given all of the ELC guys on the team.

I just think there are bigger fish to fry than ridding our roster of a career Ranger who can still be used in a limited role and is a true leader in the locker room.

I agree that the kids need to have a shot, but Staal does not need to be moved to make this happen. In fact, it's a great hedge to have someone like Staal as the 7th guy to rotate with Miller/Hajek/(enter young gun here).

I also get your point on his play. He's not the best, but at least he gets how to play a defensive role. Is it a coincidence that ADA was his pairing all season and they struggled defensively? Another reason why it might be wise to move on from ADA...

His contract isn't an issue either given all of the ELC guys on the team.

I just think there are bigger fish to fry than ridding our roster of a career Ranger who can still be used in a limited role and is a true leader in the locker room.
- Bean_Dip

It’s more or less fans are just tired of the old era players. It’s 3 years now and time to move on. Only one more year. I know it’s left a bitter taste in my mouth How they didn’t win it all, with so many chances to do it.

I agree that the kids need to have a shot, but Staal does not need to be moved to make this happen. In fact, it's a great hedge to have someone like Staal as the 7th guy to rotate with Miller/Hajek/(enter young gun here).

I also get your point on his play. He's not the best, but at least he gets how to play a defensive role. Is it a coincidence that ADA was his pairing all season and they struggled defensively? Another reason why it might be wise to move on from ADA...

His contract isn't an issue either given all of the ELC guys on the team.

I just think there are bigger fish to fry than ridding our roster of a career Ranger who can still be used in a limited role and is a true leader in the locker room.
- Bean_Dip

Deangelo's defense is really not nearly as bad as our fans seem to make it out to be.

Fox ,who everyone thinks is a defensive dynamo, had only slightly better underlying stats. I would argue he also had a better partner

By all metrics I'm pretty sure Tony was our 2nd best defenseman last year

If TDA is moved Staal could probably stay just because they don't have to shed salary anymore.

I would love to know what the market value is for TDA. Seems like another weird deal where he may cost NY a fortune based on his regular season production yet the open market won't pony up a decent offer for him either.

If TDA is moved Staal could probably stay just because they don't have to shed salary anymore.

I would love to know what the market value is for TDA. Seems like another weird deal where he may cost NY a fortune based on his regular season production yet the open market won't pony up a decent offer for him either.
- Maskdman3

It's going to be interesting. Personally I hope he takes a 1 or two year deal with the expectation he will get paid after that. Also might want to stay as he sees where the team is going and might want to be a part of it