New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal not to join team in overseas season opener -NHL News Update
Unfortunately for New York Rangers, they will not have their star defenseman, Mar Staal, on the line-up ready to participate in their season opening matchup against Los Angeles Kings in Stockholm, Sweden, on Friday, October 7, due to reoccurring concussion
like symptoms, as decided by team head coach, John Tortorella.
Marc Staal had been participating with New York for their past few practice sessions but will not be joining the team as they travel to Europe to continue their appearance in the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Compuware Premier Series.
"Marc Staal continues to work with his people out there", Tortorella said. "He will not be here. We felt it was best to leave him alone".
Some good news for the 24-year-old defender is that the team, along with general manager, Glen Sather, do not believe that there will be a need to put the player on the injured reserve, which will have him out for a definite week, but the catch is that it
will always remain an option which they can use.
"We have to be really careful with that", Tortorella said. "In these types of situations when you're talking about symptoms, it may clear up really quickly. I haven't talked to Glen. We haven't gotten into that conversation. We finally made the decision
(Tuesday) that he is going to stay back there and we'll go on without him until we get back home".
Marc Staal is still suffering from a concussion sustained after brother and captain of Carolina Hurricanes checked him into the boards during their regular season matchup back in February. Since then the player has not been able to make a debut on the ice.
Last season, the former 12th overall draft pick potted 29 points (7 goals, 22 assists) in 77 games played, a career low in terms in participation ever since his induction into the major league before the 2007-2008 season.
Keeping Staal out of the IR, New York is faced with another situation of cutting either Sean Avery or Erik Christensen from the roster to bring down the number of players to the mandatory 24.
Developments on Staal’s situation are expected in upcoming days as Rangers prepare to face-off against Kings on Friday.
Tags: