from Steve Zipay of Newsday,

For those wondering if president and general manager Glen Sather is overpaying for defenseman Marc Staal, consider this: Here's some of the free-agent blueliners expected to be available this summer: Paul Martin, Andrej Sekera, Cody Franson, Johnny Boychuk and Mike Green. Not exactly the Fab Five. Would you really replace Staal with any of them?

Staal, who turned 28 on Jan. 13, has played just 502 games, given concussions and a serious eye injury. Next season is the last on Dan Boyle's two-year contract, and perhaps Kevin Klein moves into the top four. So the opening down the road would be for a third pair d-man, who will be less expensive.

A potential side benefit of Staal signing long-term? Perhaps it could eventually help lure brother Eric from Carolina, the big center that the Rangers need to compete against top clubs. Salary would be an issue, though: $8.2 million next season, then free agency before the 2016-17 season. That might be when the Rangers can afford him.

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