Player Discussion Marc Staal Appreciation Thread

[SnowblindNYR]

Bad player now, bad player in the past, who people thought was good in a time where they really didn't know how to evaluate defenseman. He was never good for a prolonged period of time. Had a solid 07-08 that's about it.

I think you meant to post this in the "Let's shit on Marc Staal Thread".

 

[Rempe73]

Really respect that he waived. Not something I expect many older players to do, especially since they don’t want to move their families. I shit on Staal a lot, but he was part of something special. And it sucks that he had that eye injury, both at the personal and professional level.

 

[Leonardo87]

Ten years ago. Goddamn.

Miss all those guys. Poor Sam, losing his voice in that one.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

I wish we could’ve seen him pre-injuries even longer.

He was a warrior his first few seasons in this league. While McD would eventually pass him as the top LD, Staal battled through some of the toughest assignments on the team his first half-decade here.

It’s also the end of an era. While 2004 set the stage, for me that 2005 draft really was the turning point for this organization.

I always admired the way he seemingly never complained when Girardi was taken away as his partner.

 

[NYRFAN218]

I have to give huge props to him for waiving his NMC.

Hey Henrik, take some notes from Marc.

He didn’t waive anything, he had a limited no trade and Detroit wasn’t on it. I know everyone has to try and get their shots in at Henrik but that’s just not what happened here.

 

[twotonfrankie1]

Thank you Marc!

Still remember watching your first pre-season games as a Ranger and knowing we had something special and you definitely did not disappoint. Absolute ROCK back on defense during your prime years. Great leader and great mentor by all accounts and interviews by our younger players over the years.

 

[Off Sides]

When the play was coming at him into his own zone he was a really good defender with his reach and stick work. He was pretty good in front of his own net boxing out and somewhat physical. AV trying to get him, and others, to chase behind his own net was a ridiculous coaching idea. He had some injuries, the game changed where the defenders are expected to carry the puck more. His contract was no fault of his own. I wish him luck.

 

[Graves94]

The first 6-7 years of his career, he was a dominant shut down D, along with Girardi. Anyone saying otherwise, is either ignorant or full of hate for the guy, for some reason...True warrior and class act!

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Anyone who comes in this thread to knock/insult/ridicule Staal really needs to re-examine his or her own life.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

My favorite player. </3

A lot of this board has a really short memory. Staal was an excellent player before his eye injury. Even after his concussion he returned to form.

HF would do polls for best defensive defenseman, and Staal would routinely finish ahead or just behind of Chara and Vlasic, depending on the day. I still firmly believe he’s the best defensive defenseman this team has had in the past 15 years. The offense was starting to come as well - had it not been for a freak accident he would still be a solid player.

Pretty sad day!

 

[carminejr]

Bad player now, bad player in the past, who people thought was good in a time where they really didn't know how to evaluate defenseman. He was never good for a prolonged period of time. Had a solid 07-08 that's about it.

hardooo

 

[JT Kreider]

Really respect that he waived. Not something I expect many older players to do, especially since they don’t want to move their families. I shit on Staal a lot, but he was part of something special. And it sucks that he had that eye injury, both at the personal and professional level.

Apparently this whole time he had a limited NTC so we all thought he was untradeable for no reason

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Staal's decline was really accentuated because his mobility fell really hard after the 13-14 season. I'd argue that it happened mid playoff run that year because he looked painfully slow against Montreal and LA and that has carried over and gotten even worse over the years.

The concussions didn't help and the eye injury took an already weak puck handling/moving game and made it even worse, but he hasn't been able to move at an acceptable level for a long while now and his overall game has really suffered for it.

 

[eco's bones]

My favorite player. </3

A lot of this board has a really short memory. Staal was an excellent player before his eye injury. Even after his concussion he returned to form.

HF would do polls for best defensive defenseman, and Staal would routinely finish ahead or just behind of Chara and Vlasic, depending on the day. I still firmly believe he’s the best defensive defenseman this team has had in the past 15 years. The offense was starting to come as well - had it not been for a freak accident he would still be a solid player.

Pretty sad day!

One thing if you watch a team for a length you realize that everybody's day to move on eventually is going to come. Marc was a real credit to the organization but I'm not going to lie about this--the Rangers moving him on is a positive for the team. Hopefully K'Andre can be as good as pre-injury Marc Staal was.

 

[cwede]

i have written this a few times in last few months, i guess this will be last time

some folks may not remember, but, especially during the first half of his career,
we was among best in league against 2-on-1's,
his positioning and his reach, he was brilliant

secondly, one of my favorite moments at MSG was the Brad Richards dying-seconds tying-goal playoff game vs Caps,
Staal wins it early in OT, walking the blue line then wiring home the winning power-play goal

 

[twotonfrankie1]

 

[Nickmo82]

Kind of a shame that he fell apart at the same time as getting his big pay day. Was always going to make him a target for the fans. He's been a part of some good memories. Some not so good... but some good.

All the best in Detroit.

 

[Leonardo87]

Poor Staalsy, being so close to Pierre like that. Lol.

 

[will1066]

One of the OG Bluebloods

 

[QJL]

Bad player now, bad player in the past, who people thought was good in a time where they really didn't know how to evaluate defenseman. He was never good for a prolonged period of time. Had a solid 07-08 that's about it.

I remember him shutting down Crosby and Malkin several times en route to long playoff runs. He was a solid player for far more than a season.

 

[May Rih]

i have written this a few times in last few months, i guess this will be last time

some folks may not remember, but, especially during the first half of his career,
we was among best in league against 2-on-1's,
his positioning and his reach, he was brilliant

secondly, one of my favorite moments at MSG was the Brad Richards dying-seconds tying-goal playoff game vs Caps,
Staal wins it early in OT, walking the blue line then wiring home the winning power-play goal

The Marc Staal poke-check was legit.

 

[duhmetreE]

The Marc Staal poke-check was legit.

He had a god-tier poke check... He used to swallow up anything on the boards.

It really is a shame with what happened to him. Its amazing he kept on going

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Always liked Stall. Calm, poised, good leader. Good guy. Will go down as a fine blue shirt.

 

[Leetch3]

 

[will1066]

Staal's decline was really accentuated because his mobility fell really hard after the 13-14 season. I'd argue that it happened mid playoff run that year because he looked painfully slow against Montreal and LA and that has carried over and gotten even worse over the years.

The concussions didn't help and the eye injury took an already weak puck handling/moving game and made it even worse, but he hasn't been able to move at an acceptable level for a long while now and his overall game has really suffered for it.

To be fair, his claim to fame wasn't his puck handling/mobility game. The game evolved, especially following the long-term extension, and his game wasn't really ever about making that sexy stretch/headman pass.