The New York Rangers have traded defenceman Marc Staal to the Detroit Red Wings. A second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft joins Staal in the move to Detroit. In exchange, the Rangers simply get future considerations.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have acquired defenseman Marc Staal and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft from the New York Rangers in exchange for future considerations. pic.twitter.com/EO9cWDACOE
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 26, 2020
Marc Staal has Been Traded to Detroit
This is clearly a cap dump for the Rangers. Stall has a $5.70 million cap hit next season; the last year of his contract. The Rangers are facing a fairly tough situation, forced to choose between a trio of great goalies. Rumours have voiced that the legendary Henrik Lundqvist might get bought out to help ease New York’s cap situation. In his place, Alexandar Georgiev would serve in the backup role, with Igor Shesterkin filling the starting spot.
With Staal’s pricey contract now out of the way, the likelihood of this rumour coming to fruition is questionable. The Rangers now have around $20 million in cap space, with eight pending-free agents. This includes Georgiev, who is seemingly a must-sign. Also without a contract for 2020-21 is Ryan Strome, who many expect will earn a fairly hefty pay raise. Strome netted 59 points, and 18 goals, in 71 games this year; clearly finding his footing on the back of the Rangers upgrades.
Staal himself recorded 11 points in 52 games last year. It was his fifth season in a row of netting 15-or-fewer points and the 10th time he’s done it throughout his NHL career. Still, he’s managed a 13-season career. Now, at the age of 33, the defenceman will be moving to Detroit’s blue-line. Detroit has four pending-free agents on their blue-line, including Jonathan Ericsson and Trevor Daley. Both are 36-years-old whose future is uncertain. While neither has retired, many are expecting the duo to. Staal’s addition would fulfill the role of one of these names but they’d still need to search for a second; pending an AHL-upgrade.
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