Flyers’ Marc Staal Wants To Be Experienced Voice For Rebuilding Team

New Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Marc Staal has played 16 seasons in the NHL. Been to the Stanley Cup Final twice. Probably seen everything, done everything. Probably knows more than most.

Playing 1,101 regular-season games and another 128 playoff games prepares you for just about anything. The Philadelphia Flyers signed the free agent last week and hope he brings his wisdom and knowledge to a young, rebuilding team.

Along with his insight, the Flyers want Staal’s defensive skills that had him on the ice for 20:56 per game in Florida’s Stanley Cup Final run.

“My first two years I played with Michal Rozsival [on the Rangers] and had a big impact on me,” Staal said on a Zoom call Wednesday.

“Sometimes I think the mentor thing gets a bit — I wouldn’t say overblown but everyone who comes into the league has to figure out how they’re going to do it on their own.

“Every player is unique and individual in how they prepare and how they go about their day. Leaning on older guys with questions for a variety of things that go on throughout the season is nice to have around.

“I remember having those guys around when I was younger. I played with [Jaromir] Jagr, Chris Drury, Brendan Shanahan my first few years — just watching them.

“I’m not comparing myself to those guys but those guys have a lot of experience and knew what it took to stay in the league. Just having them around in the room is always a big bonus.

“So if I can provide that for some of these guys that are coming up and looking to stick around the NHL, I look forward to doing that and lending as much help as I can.”

Playing For Tortorella

Staal, 36, played for John Tortorella for five years with the Rangers, from 2008-13. Staal knows what the demanding coach expects from his players.

“It’s been awhile since he’s coached me. It feels like forever ago,” Staal said.

“But we’ve had a good relationship. We’ve kept in touch a little bit over the years. I’m a different player than I was when he coached me and I’m sure he’s a different coach.

“I have a lot of respect for him and how he coaches and the accountability he has for the guys and how he wants the game to be played.

“Being a part of a little bit of an extension of that in the room and the expectations he has for the team and how the game should be played have a lot of parallels there.”

Leading The Way

Staal plans to lead by example to help his new team. He was one of the veteran leaders on the Panthers team that barely made the playoffs, then stunned the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Bruins and keep cooking right into the finals.

“Just bring what I do each day and be an example for the guys and how I approach the day-to-day life of being in the NHL,” Staal said. 

“They have a lot of guys there that have a lot of experience already. Just going and compete.

“I think the biggest thing for any veteran guy that has played a long time is coming to the rink and putting your work in, and competing 100 percent on the ice every day at practice, every game, and just showing that example every day and enjoying what you’re doing.

“Playing in this league is a ton of fun and being able to come there and enjoy it with a bunch of new guys that are excited to get building and get winning and that opportunity and that feeling in the room is always exciting.”

Staal confirmed he wanted to joined the Flyers because of his familiarity with Tortorella, being closer to his family in Connecticut and his admiration for the Flyers’ organization.

“The opportunity to compete and play again, it just seemed right,” Staal said. “It wasn’t a very hard decision when the feeling was mutual and it came together pretty quick.”