Player Discussion Marc Staal

[May Rih]

I think Staal's game has been much better in the last stretch of games. He was REALLY bad for most of the year - equally as bad as Girardi. But his timing seems to be getting back. I wouldn't exactly say that he's been great, but he's been serviceable, and I'll gladly take that improvement.

 

[FLYLine27*]

He has been real good lately.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Staal's been good for the last month or so.

 

[TheTakedown]

Staal's been good for the last month or so.

2, maybe 3 weeks. not the month... actually before the last 3 weeks, he's been equally as bad as girardi for the entire year. Furthermore Girardi simply does not suit him as a partner (well, actually he really doesn't suit anyone as far as anyone can tell, but we won't get into that).

I'd like to see Staal with Diaz for a game, just for the hell of it... Boyle seriously needs some rest.

McDonagh-Klein
Yandle-McIlrath
Staal-Diaz

Just to get a look of what this team looks like without those anchors

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

2, maybe 3 weeks. not the month... actually before the last 3 weeks, he's been equally as bad as girardi for the entire year. Furthermore Girardi simply does not suit him as a partner (well, actually he really doesn't suit anyone as far as anyone can tell, but we won't get into that).

I'd like to see Staal with Diaz for a game, just for the hell of it... Boyle seriously needs some rest.

McDonagh-Klein
Yandle-McIlrath
Staal-Diaz

Just to get a look of what this team looks like without those anchors

You still have Staal in there

Staal's TOI has dropped over the last 5 games or so, which probably has a lot to do with him looking less horrible.

Thats not to say that he hasn't improved (kind of), hes had his best games of the season in that time frame, but its no secret that he should be getting 15-17 minutes a night. He can't handle big minutes against good teams anymore.

Still can't move the puck and is terrible on the PK.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Boyle is an anchor, but Staal isn't. Okay...

 

[HFBS]

Every time Staal goes into the corner after a chipped in puck I hold my breath knowing there is an excellent chance he will have the puck stolen from him due to his slow foot speed and indecisive play.

 

[E-Train]

Diaz has played in 10 of 41 games for Hartford. Safe to say he won't be an option for a while if at all this season.

 

[cwede]

Diaz has played in 10 of 41 games for Hartford. Safe to say he won't be an option for a while if at all this season.

Diaz is injured, hasn't played since Nov 15
http://theahl.com/stats/gamebygame.php?id=6081

and already 4 right shot D on NHL roster

 

[TheTakedown]

You still have Staal in there

Staal's TOI has dropped over the last 5 games or so, which probably has a lot to do with him looking less horrible.

Thats not to say that he hasn't improved (kind of), hes had his best games of the season in that time frame, but its no secret that he should be getting 15-17 minutes a night. He can't handle big minutes against good teams anymore.

Still can't move the puck and is terrible on the PK.

I agree, he sucks. He doesn't need top minutes, which is why I think Skjei is his eventual replacement

Boyle is an anchor, but Staal isn't. Okay...

No, he is... but there are no other options for the left side on the team. Skjei isn't coming back up any time soon, and Boyle doesn't play the left side at all. McDonagh, Klein, and Diaz are the only players that can even attempt to play their offsides.

 

[May Rih]

Every time Staal goes into the corner after a chipped in puck I hold my breath knowing there is an excellent chance he will have the puck stolen from him due to his slow foot speed and indecisive play.

Definitely the case for the first 40 games - however, the last stretch he has been much stronger in the corners, making quicker decisions, and has shown more confidence with moving the puck and jumping into the play. He has not been the massive defensive liability he was all season. Perhaps his recovery from the injury last year has taken a lot longer than anticipated, and is a big reason for his decline in play than may get overlooked.

Again, small sample size, so lets hope he continues this and not regress back to what has become the norm this season. Staal going back to being the player he was just a year ago drastically improves our team - I think there's a pretty clear link between Staal's and the Rangers better play lately.

Curious, since i haven't really taken a look into it: Do advanced stats support the viewpoint that he has been better the last 7 or 8 games? I'm basing my opinion only on the eye test, and am wondering if there is any statistical support to it.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Definitely the case for the first 40 games - however, the last stretch he has been much stronger in the corners, making quicker decisions, and has shown more confidence with moving the puck and jumping into the play. He has not been the massive defensive liability he was all season. Perhaps his recovery from the injury last year has taken a lot longer than anticipated, and is a big reason for his decline in play than may get overlooked.

Again, small sample size, so lets hope he continues this and not regress back to what has become the norm this season. Staal going back to being the player he was just a year ago drastically improves our team - I think there's a pretty clear link between Staal's and the Rangers better play lately.

Curious, since i haven't really taken a look into it: Do advanced stats support the viewpoint that he has been better the last 7 or 8 games? I'm basing my opinion only on the eye test, and am wondering if there is any statistical support to it.

Just like his play this month, its been a mixed bag.

He still doesn't handle the puck well. Even during this stretch of 'improved' play he has had multiple instances where he will throw the puck to no one in particular when he faces even the slightest bit of pressure.

Hes looked better in the offensive zone though, though its nearly impossible to actually regress when we're talking about what he brings in that regard. If there is any real link between Staal and the Rangers improved play, its that hes actually played fewer minutes than normal.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

You're wrong. Staal before his injury was one of the best D-Men in the league and probably in the top 25.

Go watch some highlights of him against Ovechkin. He was an amazing player. Which makes it so much harder to see him these days. His career was literally ruined by his injuries.

Seriously, you are embarrassing yourself since you so clearly missed these SEASONS. People aren't referring to a game or two. Staal was a legitimate top pairing D-man for YEARS.

Exactly. The guy is just posting nonsense at this point.

Really?? I've been a season ticket holder for 25 years....he's always been slow with no offensive ability and gets more shots blocked then anyone I have ever seen

I really doubt that.

Staal was a byproduct of a torts system that catered to playing defense for 50 minutes and hoping for a goal.

Yeah, this is simply untrue. First and foremost, he looked great under Renney. He continued to look great under Torts. He then was injured and saw his play drop off due to a major injury.

But whatever. Keep making things up.

I don't rate the player and never have. In my opinion he was never a top 25 defensemen in the league. I said it in response to another post but I truly believe he was a product of the system we played. All defense, cover from the forwards, and an elite goaltender who masked he deficiencies of most of our players.

If you believe he was a system player, then I don't think you watched the guy play. It's that simple. You're so incredibly wrong in that regard that it strikes me as someone who has not seen the player you are "analyzing" play.

 

[The Gloaming]

Staal was a legit #2 defenseman before his injuries. It wasn't just Tort's system. Did it help him? Probably. But he was good positionally and his offense looked better than it does now. His first pass wasn't going to blow anyone away, but it worked. We never saw him paired with a puck mover, but it probably would have been great. Stralman came in after the injuries.

Since then, however, his skating has gone from average to way below. He is now simply too slow to be an effective defenseman. His puck handling has regressed dramatically (his eye probably has something to do with it) to the point where his partner better be prepared to step in and do the work for him.

He certainly wasn't always like this.

 

[Blais to Win]

Stall still has something to offer.

However, if you are sure he can't make the long pass, then the forwards need to help him out and come down to allow outlet passing. Problem solved.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Staal was a legit #2 defenseman before his injuries. It wasn't just Tort's system. Did it help him? Probably. But he was good positionally and his offense looked better than it does now. His first pass wasn't going to blow anyone away, but it worked. We never saw him paired with a puck mover, but it probably would have been great. Stralman came in after the injuries.

Since then, however, his skating has gone from average to way below. He is now simply too slow to be an effective defenseman. His puck handling has regressed dramatically (his eye probably has something to do with it) to the point where his partner better be prepared to step in and do the work for him.

He certainly wasn't always like this.

Well said. This revisionist history by some about how he was never a great player should truly piss everyone off who saw the guy in his prime. It's just insulting.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

Before Staal's injury? Oh forget it, he was an elite shutdown d-man at the time. The injuries really did slow him down.

 

[Inferno]

staal used to throw hits...make people pay...he used to be a relatively physical defenseman.

what was the last time he hit a player?

seriously....i cant remember.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

staal used to throw hits...make people pay...he used to be a relatively physical defenseman.

what was the last time he hit a player?

seriously....i cant remember.

The concussion and eye issue completely changed him as a player. It took Nash a while to get over his, ?but I don't see Staal ever returning to what he was.

A shame.

 

[Mac n Gs]

The concussion and eye issue completely changed him as a player. It took Nash a while to get over his, ?but I don't see Staal ever returning to what he was.

A shame.

The eye injury has taken a toll on his hand-eye coordination. It really is a shame.

Vintage Staal would make Crosby his ***** every time we played the Penguins

 

[haveandare]

staal used to throw hits...make people pay...he used to be a relatively physical defenseman.

what was the last time he hit a player?

seriously....i cant remember.

This is the main difference from his peak to today IMO. He used to be a better outlet passer, but only marginally. He did used to be better in the O zone than he is today in terms of pinching and helping the cycle.

But the main difference is the physicality. He used to rag doll Ovechkin around. I don't think it's looking at the past with rose colored glasses to say that. He used to be a legitimate physical force. Not top in the league or anything, but top on this team at that time by a lot. He used to punish top players against the boards.

Now, he tries to do...I'm not even sure what exactly. He's less confident on offense and also less physical on defense. He's just sort of there and trying.

 

[Inferno]

Staal is a 1 trick pony...stick/sweep check. Thats it. He doesnt do anything else.

Im not saying he needs to level people every time, but at least man up and take the body.

we can complain about girardi all day long about him throwing pucks up the boards, but ill say this, if the chance is there, dan takes the body.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Staal is a 1 trick pony...stick/sweep check. Thats it. He doesnt do anything else.

Im not saying he needs to level people every time, but at least man up and take the body.

we can complain about girardi all day long about him throwing pucks up the boards, but ill say this, if the chance is there, dan takes the body.

He won't anymore. The injuries completely changed his game. We will never see him lay someone out like he did Stajan and others again.

 

[Inferno]

He won't anymore. The injuries completely changed his game. We will never see him lay someone out like he did Stajan and others again.

if you cant separate the man from the puck, and you cant make a decent outlet pass, and you cant score from the point with a bomb...you should be moved.

im not sure how anyone can argue this...

 

[Hunter Gathers]

if you cant separate the man from the puck, and you cant make a decent outlet pass, and you cant score from the point with a bomb...you should be moved.

im not sure how anyone can argue this...

Who is? I'm saying he's not going to be a very good player again. I'm not sure what you think I'm saying.