from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

Marc Staal was a bit floored when initially told the New York Rangers, the only team Staal had played for, were trading him.

The news shook him, as you’d expect. But after being told it was to the Red Wings, who happened to have the NHL's worst record last season, and after talking to Red Wings officials, Staal was suddenly...excited.

“I didn’t really have much of a heads-up, kind of just called and told I was on the way to Detroit,” Staal said Tuesday during a Zoom call with the media, his first comments since the trade. “Obviously it’s surprising and shocking when it happens. This is the only place I’ve been in my whole career and has been home for a long time.

“After the shock wore off and I started thinking about it more, talked to the coaching staff and (general manager) Steve (Yzerman), that shock turned more into excitement. You don’t know when the season will get going, but I’m excited about to getting to Detroit and get an opportunity for a fresh start and to play somewhere different.

“It’s going to be great.”

continued