Agent: Rangers' Staal hoping to sign long-term extension 'before the season starts'

Defenseman Marc Staal is heading into the final year of his current deal with the New York Rangers, and according to agent Paul Krepelka, the 27-year-old hopes to have a long-term deal in place before the puck drops on a new season in October.

The two sides, however, have yet to begin discussing an extension, Krepelka told Larry Brooks of the New York Post:

There’s been no discussion at all, but I did get a call from [assistant general manager] Jeff [Gorton]  early in the offseason telling me that they were working on their arbitration cases, so not to interpret it as a sign of disrespect toward Marc. I expect that we will be talking at some point before training camp.

Marc’s objective is to sign a long-term deal with the Rangers, and he would like to get it done before the season starts. That hasn’t changed. 

But we’ll see.

Brooks suggests Staal will be looking for a deal similar to teammate Dan Girardi's recently signed six-year, $33-million contract extension.

In 72 games last season, Staal scored three goals and added 11 assists for the Rangers, posting a 54.4 Corsi For rating while averaging 20:32 of ice time per game. During the team's run to the Stanley Cup Final, he chipped in a goal and five assists, while his Corsi For dropped to 47.7 while starting most of his shifts outside the offensive zone.

Judging by this summer's free agent market, Staal would be in line for a hefty contract should he hit the open market next summer.