Although the hockey world is still awaiting an official diagnosis on defenceman Marc Staal, who suffered a scary eye injury Tuesday night, early indications suggest that Staal’s injury is not career-threatening, Hockey Central insider Nick Kypreos reports:
#Rangers gathering medical info 2day regarding Marc Staal but early indications r his eye injury isn’t career threatening. Out indefinitely
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) March 6, 2013
In the third period of the New York Rangers’ win over the Philadelphia Flyers, Kimmo Timonen’s shot from the point was deflected by Jakub Voracek’s stick and struck Staal — who was not wearing a visor — directly in the face, causing a nasty cut.
“Marc Staal was examined today in New York by Dr. Mark Fromer, ophthalmologist, and Dr. Mendel Markowitz, maxillofacial surgeon,” a statement released by the New York Rangers said. “The injury has improved significantly and both doctors are optimistic that Marc will make a full recovery.”
Staal was able to skate off holding his face but spent several minutes flailing on the ground in pain. He did not return to the game after the injury and is out indefinitely.
Eric Staal says Marc Staal is waiting for swelling to go down around his right eye b4 further determination can be made about his injury.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) March 6, 2013
“He sounded like he was in OK spirits but we don’t know a lot right now. Obviously we’re saying prayers and hoping he dodged a bullet as far as being struck in that area. We’ll know more with some more time,” Eric Staal told NHL.com Wednesday. “It’s scary to see. It’s an awful feeling and it made me sick to my stomach seeing him in that pain with his legs kicking. But, it was good to talk to him [Wednesday] and, hopefully, everything is going to be OK.”
In other Rangers news, the club claimed veteran defenceman Roman Hamrlik on waivers Wednesday. Hamrlik was placed on waivers by the Washington Capitals Tuesday.
