Breaking New York Rangers News: Marc Staal Will Play In The 2012 Winter Classic
by Joe Fortunato on Jan 2, 2012 12:58 PM EST
in New York Rangers News
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PrintThanks to Brandon for breaking the news, but I took some of his stuff out to add quotes from the press conference (if you're confused as to why the story has changed it's look).
Following in the footsteps of his brother Jordan Staal, Marc Staal will make his return to the New York Rangers lineup in the Winter Classic.
After John Tortorella announced yesterday that Staal would not be playing, the announcement was made today that the Rangers decided Staal is ready to play.
"Last night at dinner I talked to Jim Ransey and Dr. Robert Cantu and everything was good with both of them," Tortorella said at the 12:45 press conference today. "So I asked Staal is he could play, and I heard so many things and I said to Staal 'I don't care about what anyone else thinks are you ready to play?' And he said he was, so he's playing."
"The game itself, I think you can overthink that," Tortorella said of Staal playing today. "If Staal tells me, and as I told you before I needed a yes or no and I got a yes from the trainer, I got a yes from the doctor and most importantly I got a yes from him. I don't care if we're playing in a creek somewhere, he's going to play."
"As far as the minutes and the things that go along with Staal, that's going to take time," Tortorella said of the expectations of Staal's game.
I expect Jeff Woywitka to sit today, but Tortorella said he hasn't made a decision yet. Tortorella also said that Staal would play on the third pairing tonight.
Thoughts guys?
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If Staal’s on the 3rd pair, Woywitka’s out. I expect McD-Girardi, MDZ-Stralman, Staal-Bickel.
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Who wants to bet Bickel transforms in Douglas Murray and Staal and Bickel become the best shutdown pair in hockey?
by Zuppa Di Pesce on Jan 2, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
Not me. Staal-Sauer maybe, not Staal-Bickel
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by George E. Ays on Jan 2, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
Its Bickle to start.
I assume decision is based of ice time and having someone to stand up for Staal. If we lose Bickle for 5min wont be end of the world .
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
Well, that could either mean scoring the game winning goal or getting re-concussed; so don’t pull a 2011 crosby.
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Jan 2, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
Exciting. Nervous. Anxious. I’m glad he’s back…hopeful he will bring a spark for the boys. LGR!!
by inHANKweTruST on Jan 2, 2012 1:04 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I’m so excited!!!! yet, cautious and nervous : /
by OhCallyMyCaptain on Jan 2, 2012 1:08 PM EST reply actions
#winning
That is all.
"Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come."
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I don't know whether to shit or smile
Is hockey hard? "I don't know, you tell me. We need to have the strength and power of a football player, the stamina of a marathon runner, and the concentration of a brain surgeon. But we need to put all this together while moving at high speeds on a cold and slippery surface while 5 other guys use clubs to try and kill us, oh yeah did I mention that this whole time we're standing on blades 1/8 of an inch thick? Is ice hockey hard? I don't know, you tell me. Next question."
-Brendan Shanahan
by RichieToGabbySCORE on Jan 2, 2012 1:17 PM EST reply actions
I’m doing both because I’m reading this on the crapper.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Jan 2, 2012 1:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
“I heard so many different things, and Marc was talking quite a bit, I said ‘Staalsy, I don’t care about anyone else’s opinion, are you ready to play?’ He said he was, so he’s playing,” Tortorella told reporters.
Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2012-01-02/winter-classic-marc-staal-return-concussion-rangers-flyers#ixzz1iKIGGUFR
Word for word what I did NOT want to hear.
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"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
Fair enough, but you got figure Staal has more at stake than us with this concussion so he’s probably not just throwing caution to the wind in order to play in this game
by Zuppa Di Pesce on Jan 2, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
If torts didn’t think staal was ready to play… he would not be playing… this team hates to lose…
@clalicata17
I’m talking about health concerns not ability to play concerns. It sets a terrible precedent letting the players decide IMO.
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"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
They got a green light from the trainer and head doc. Then Stall gave his green light.
It is always left up to the player at the end. What are you going to do, gag him and drag him to the ice?
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
Yea I read the same thing. Rammer and the team doctor both cleared him and said he was good to go, then Staal had final say.
I think what Torts meant, and I had a feeling people would take it wrong, was that he didn’t care if the doctors said Staal was good to go. He wanted to hear it out of Staal’s mouth, cause that’s what really matters.
by Eastern Impact on Jan 2, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think what Torts meant, and I had a feeling people would take it wrong, was that he didn’t care if the doctors said Staal was good to go. He wanted to hear it out of Staal’s mouth, cause that’s what really matters.
Exactly and that’s what I didn’t want to hear.
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"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
Ok how about you stop quoting and saying the same thing and explain?
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
Or, I can keep quoting, because I agree with what I’m quoting? That’s my explanation, what I’m quoting. Because people are saying what I’m thinking.
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Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
You are taking that quote out of context. It is not “I don’t care if docs say Yes or No, Staal’s word matters” .. it is “I don’t care if the docs say YES, only Staal can give the final green light”.
The players is deciding if he wants more time or not after the doctors and trainer ALREADY cleared him. You are being pretty obtuse on this…
Yes, you explained exactly what I was getting at. Staal had final say in if he would play, but ONLY AFTER being cleared by the doctors.
A doctor could say you’re fine to play, but the final decision is in the player’s hands.
by Eastern Impact on Jan 2, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
First of all, let me be clear that I’m already not a fan of Staal getting into NHL games without playing rehab games first. That’s part of why I’m so strongly opinionated on this.
Second of all, what does he expect, Staal to say no? No player will ever turn down the opportunity to play in a game like this.
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
I think that Staal is much further along in his conditioning than we were told.
When Crosby was working his way back we got an updated every time he could take a shit without getting a headache. It was ridiculously over covered.
It seems like the Rangers weren’t making a spectacle of his recovery the way the Penguins did with Crosby.
by Eastern Impact on Jan 2, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
All I know is as of yesterday he was not ready to play. Now he is. Not sure what changed, but I don’t like the changing of opinions. Shows uncertainty, something you cannot afford to have when it comes to concussions.
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
He was cleared yesterday though, they said so in the posts about this. He got cleared during the day yesterday and at dinner last night he told Torts he was ready.
by Eastern Impact on Jan 2, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
Fair enough, I’m just extremely worried about the possibility of a Crosby like situation. I really hate the way NHL teams handle their injured players, and this is a situation like that for me.
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Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
Now you made me scared. Thanks ;)
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
I can see why you would think that but as the poster alluded to I think a lot was kept from the public on this.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
Ok, ok I get your point now. But bottom line is he is medically cleared to play. Could they be wrong? Sure, but that could happen next week as well.
I get that players would LIKE to play in a game like this but cmon lets be real, this is not the Stanley Cup Final. I highly doubt Stall would put his career on the line just for this game. For the Cup finals? Yeah maybe, he would not be the first nor the last player to do so.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
Again, I think you’re underestimating the competitiveness of the player here. I can honestly say that if I’m Staal, and I think there’s an above 50% chance I can make it without ramifications, I go out there and play.
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"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
And how would you come up with a figure such as 50%? A player could not and would not think is such terms. Staal would be going by how he feels.
But I get your point. You are saying that even thought the doctors gave the green light the question should have never been posed to Staal because you know what he is going to say no matter how he feels. Fair enough.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
It's Either Way Too Arbitrary . . .
. . . or way too heroic to set the Winter Classic as his return date. We don’t want foolhardiness to trump sensibility.
What’s wrong with returning in a week against Phoenix or Ottawa?
A rusty Staal imo.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 2:22 PM EST up reply actions
A game shape Woywitka=A game shape Aardvark with no legs.
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"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
not much of a choice
but I like watching Aardvarks on Ice
by MasterOfPuppets on Jan 2, 2012 2:30 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t understand how that’s a bad thing?
Rammer and the doctor said Staal was good and he could play. Torts wanted to hear it from Staal himself though. Otherwise he wouldn’t let him play.
Where is the problem in this? It’s not like the doctors said no, Staal said yes, and now Staal is playing when he shouldn’t.
by Eastern Impact on Jan 2, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not a fan of the player getting to make the decision. The part that I’m talking about is “I don’t care what anyone else thinks.” I don’t trust Torts to think with his brain rather than his heart or whatever.
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Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
So you’d rather the doctors can force him to play if he is not ready, because he was medically fit to play 3 weeks ago? I don’t get it.
So if the players says he is not ready to go you are for the coach putting him in?
The player ALWAYS has a say.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
The player will never say no. Simple as that. Any competitive person will never say no. Case proven by Staal playing in the playoffs last year.
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
That is why you have doctors and trainers there to make sure the player does not make a stupid decision.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
The player doesn’t disclose full information to the doctors in some situations, again like the playoffs last season.
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
Understood but this is a bit different as he has tests he needs to pass. If he doesn’t pass them then no matter what he says he wont get a green light.
It is the players life, career and livelihood. you hope they would not make a stupid decision but Iyou can never be immune to something like that. I guess when you have a competitive player like that, that is a price you might have to pay.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
If the trainer and/or the doctor gave a no then conversation never reaches Staal plain and simple
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
Amped!
GET RIPPED
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by Papa T on Jan 2, 2012 1:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions
84 more minutes........
Can’t wait, Let’s go Rangers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WB Staal!!
I’m assuming Staal plays alongside Bickle for some protection.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 2, 2012 1:48 PM EST reply actions
My girlfriend caught me as I fainted...
Cause once again, I called it! Staal is back! Woohoo!!
Let’s Go Rangers!!!!!
"Fart like a man!"
by Danz10 on Jan 2, 2012 1:57 PM EST via mobile reply actions
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