Marc Staal, Rangers Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Marc Staal was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Instead, he'll be remaining with the New York Rangers for the foreseeable future, as the team reportedly has locked up the defenseman to a six-year contract extension.    

The Rangers confirmed the news:

ESPN.com initially reported the deal along with financial details:

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The New York Rangers and defenseman Marc Staal have agreed to a six-year contract extension worth $5.7 million per year, a source told ESPN's Craig Custance.

The deal has a full no-trade clause in the first three years and begins right away, according to the source. There is also a full no-move clause, which only pertains to waivers.

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Staal commented on the deal following the team's game on Sunday, via the Rangers:

Rangers general manager Glen Sather also provided a statement, per BlueShirtsUnited.com:

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Marc has been one of the cornerstones of our team since he arrived in New York. His commitment and perseverance to the Rangers, and the game of hockey, has been an inspiration for everyone in the organization, and he has become a role model for young players and veterans alike. We are excited that he will continue to provide that leadership in a Rangers uniform.

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Staal has spent his entire eight-year career with the Rangers and was a vital member of the team that reached the Stanley Cup Final a season ago. He's appeared in 42 games this year, averaging 22 minutes of ice time per game while scoring two goals, notching six assists and registering a plus-minus of plus-six.

The Rangers clearly wanted to make sure he wasn't going anywhere this summer, as Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada noted:

Staal will need to rally the troops this year, however, as the Rangers are currently fourth in the Metropolitan Division, though they have won 14 of their last 17 games to get right back into the postseason mix.

And with Staal locked up for the next six years, the Rangers will be hoping plenty of postseason trips—and perhaps Stanley Cup triumphs, too—will follow.