Photo: Mark Blinch NHLI / Getty Images
DETROIT, September 26, 2020 – The Detroit Red Wings today acquired defenseman Marc Staal and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft from the New York Rangers in exchange for future considerations.
Staal, 33, skated in 52 games with the Rangers in 2019-20, totaling 11 points (2-9-11), a plus-five rating, 16 penalty minutes, 69 hits and 76 blocked shots in 17:39 average time on ice, while also playing in all three postseason contests, notching one point (1-0-1). The 13-year NHL veteran led New York in shorthanded ice time per game in 2019-20 and ranks among the longest-tenured players in Rangers history, placing sixth in franchise history in regular-season games (892) and second in playoff games played (107). He also served as an alternate captain for the Rangers for a decade (2010-20). Staal has totaled 188 points (43-145-188), a plus-46 rating and 432 penalty minutes since making his NHL debut in 2007-08, adding 20 points (7-13-20) and 42 penalty minutes in 107 career playoff games. The 6-foot-4, 209-pound blueliner was an NHL All-Star in 2011 when he set career offensive bests with 29 points (7-22-29) in 77 games. He also twice participated in the NHL YoungStars Game during his first two NHL campaigns in 2008 and 2009.
A native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Staal was originally a first-round pick (12th overall) of the Rangers in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to turning professional, Staal racked up 123 points (23-100-123) in 236 Ontario Hockey League games with the Sudbury Wolves from 2003-07. He capped off a decorated major-junior career in 2006-07, captaining the Wolves en route to capturing the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the league’s most-outstanding defenseman and Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as most-valuable player of the playoffs, while earning a spot on the OHL First All-Star Team and CHL First All-Star Team. On the international stage, Staal helped Canada win back-to-back gold medals at the 2006 and 2007 IIHF World Junior Championships and was named the tournament’s best defenseman in 2006. He previously captured a gold medal at the 2003 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and debuted for the men’s national team at the 2010 IIHF World Championship.
The Red Wings currently hold 20 draft picks combined over the next two NHL Entry Drafts, adding to the league-high 32 players the team selected over the last three drafts (2017-19). For the upcoming 2020 NHL Entry Draft (Oct. 6-7), the Red Wings have six of the first 65 selections in the draft, including their own pick in each round except the fourth, two additional picks in the second round (via Edmonton and Washington), San Jose’s pick in the third round and Edmonton’s pick in the fourth round. Detroit also has all seven of its original selections for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and now own three picks in the second round (adding the Rangers’ pick to one previously acquired from Edmonton) and an additional third-round pick via Vegas.
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