Marc Staal took a nasty injury to his face on Tuesday night in the New York Rangers' win against the Philadelphia Flyers and the team gave an update on the defenseman on Wednesday, saying that he would be out indefinitely.
According to ESPNNewYork.com, the team announced on Wednesday that Staal will be out for an extended period of time, but that doctors said they expect him to make a full recovery. The star also missed time last season with a concussion and the statement says he "improved significantly" after taking the puck to the eye.
Staal was looked at by both Dr. Mark Fromer, an opthamologist, and Dr. Mandel Markowitz, a maxillofacial surgeon and they determined he did not need surgery for the injury. While the Rangers did not give a timetable for his return, they said he is expected to be fine.
The team won the game 4-2 and brought in veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik off waivers from the Capitals to help replace him.
Staal was hit in the face by a tipped puck in the game and took it right above his eye with under six minutes left in the third period. He went down to the ice screaming in pain and eventually was able to make it the training room.
Staal had two goals and nine assists this season and has been one of the most consistent players for the Rangers since coming back from a concussion. The report said that he is expected to have no permanent damage or vision loss as a result of the injury.
