As per Andrew Gross the New York Rangers and RFA Marc Staal still aren’t close to a new contract:
It doesn’t seem like getting Marc Staal signed will be one of those events over the next couple of weeks. From what I gathered yesterday, the sides are still far apart. This is also not a negotiation that will be playing out in public so, one day, Marc Staal will be signed. As I mentioned in my last blog post, John Tortorella is not looking to have Staal in training camp if the restricted free agent defenseman is not signed but Tortorella is "optimistic" a deal will be reached. Here’s today’s column in The Record based on the interview I did with Tortorella earlier this week.
I have to say that I am surprised by this. One would have to assume that Staal would be the Rangers top priority, but Glen Sather doesn’t seem too keen on getting this over with quickly.
All I have to say is that the longer Staal sits on the market, the more dangerous of a game this becomes. If another team comes and forces the Rangers hand with a heftier, more expensive, contract; this can become a problem.
Which could result in — dare I say it — Staal not wearing a Ranger uniform next year. Obviously, we’re not at that point yet, but with every second that ticks off the clock we’re getting closer.