Marc Staal Signed to Contract Extension
"Marc has been one of the cornerstones of our team since he arrived in New York," Sather said. "His commitment and perseverance to the Rangers, and the game of hockey, has been an inspiration for everyone in the organization, and he has become a role model for young players and veterans alike. We are excited that he will continue to provide that leadership in a Rangers uniform."
Staal, 28, ranks second among all Rangers in games played (503), is tied for second among Rangers defensemen in goals (29), and ranks third among Rangers defensemen in assists (90) and points (119) since he joined the team in 2007-08. He is one of 12 defensemen who have skated in at least 500 career regular season games with the Blueshirts in franchise history. During his tenure with the Rangers, Staal represented the team at the 2011 NHL All-Star Game, received the John Halligan Good Guy Award for cooperation with the media in 2013-14, and won the Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award as the best rookie in Training Camp in 2007. Staal was also the team's nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded to the player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey," in 2013.
In 503 career NHL games over eight seasons, all with the Rangers, Staal has registered 29 goals and 90 assists for 119 points, along with a plus-18 rating and 286 penalty minutes. He has been one of the Rangers' alternate captains since the start of the 2010-11 season. Entering this season, Staal ranked among the top three Rangers in average ice time and blocked shots in every season in which he played more than 50 games since 2009-10, and he led the team in average ice time twice over the span (2009-10, 2010-11).
The 6-4, 207-pounder has registered two goals and six assists for eight points, along with a plus-eight rating and 32 penalty minutes in 43 games this season. He is one of six Rangers - and two defensemen on the team - who have played in every game thus far in 2014-15. Staal currently ranks third on the Rangers in average ice time (21:55) and blocked shots (72), and is tied for third on the team in takeaways (28). He tied single-game career-highs with two assists and two points on Nov. 11, 2014 vs. Pittsburgh, and he skated in his 500th career NHL game on Jan. 13, 2015 vs. the NY Islanders.
Prior to 2014-15, Staal reached the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons with the Rangers. In 68 career NHL playoff games, he has registered six goals and 10 assists for 16 points, along with 26 penalty minutes. Staal is tied for 10th on the Rangers' all-time playoff games played list. He ranks fifth among Rangers defensemen in career playoff games played and is tied for ninth among Rangers defensemen in career playoff goals. During the 2014 Playoffs, Staal ranked third in the NHL in blocked shots (53) and ranked third on the Rangers in average ice time (21:49) while helping the Blueshirts advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Thunder Bay, Ontario native was selected by the Rangers in the first round, 12th overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
