Will Marc’s Progress ‘Staal’?
by Cliff Auld
Training camp is always a time for difficult player personnel decisions regarding young players, and this camp has been no different for the Rangers. While Brandon Dubinsky, Nigel Dawes, and Jarkko Immonen are all fighting for spots on the top four lines, the Rangers most difficult decision is what to do with their best defense prospect, Marc Staal. Unlike the other three, who can be sent to Hartford for more seasoning and recalled at any time, the Rangers options are limited with Staal because of the NHL’s long standing agreement with the junior hockey leagues. As an under age 19 year old, Staal either sticks with the Rangers or goes back to the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League. The AHL’s Wolfpack are not an option this season for Staal.