Staal finished with a minus-2 rating while failing to mark the scoresheet in 13:15 of ice time during Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Chicago.

EDGE Analysis

A move to the bottom defensive pairing alongside Brady Skjei predictably didn't help Staal snap a point skid that dates back to Dec. 8 but it did substantially cut into Staal's ice time after he had topped 18 minutes in eight of his previous nine games. One of the dents in Staal's rating came on an unfortunate play that saw him get crosschecked into the crease with the puck sitting near the goal line. Replay confirmed that the defenseman's sliding body pushed the puck in before he knocked the net off its moorings, but sadly the blatant crosscheck leading to the goal was not reviewable.

Staal blocked one shot in 19:38 of ice time in a 3-2 overtime victory Saturday over Boston.

EDGE Analysis

The blocked shot was the only remanence of Staal's performance that popped up on the statsheet. The Thunder Bay native has been mainly skating on the third paring in 2017-18 thus far, averaging 17:50 of ice time per game. Despite the limited opportunities Staal has notched six points (one goal, five assists) and is already over halfway to besting last seasons point total of 10. However, with sheltered minutes and no power-play presence, it would be surprising to see him climb much higher than his mark last year.

Staal registered a shot, two hits and a minus-1 rating through 17:01 of ice time during Friday's 2-0 loss to the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran defenseman has now gone 12 games without registering a point, and he entered Friday averaging a career-low 17:51 of ice time per game. As a result, it's difficult to rely on Staal in the majority of fantasy settings.

Staal recorded an assist, on shot, two blocked shots and two hits over 22:42 of ice time during Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

The helper improves Staal to a goal and three points through eight games. After registering just three tallies and seven assists over 72 games last season, he's off to a much better start offensively this year. However, he's more of a meat-and-potatoes defenseman, and it's probably still wise to steer clear in most fantasy settings.

Staal will have to earn his spot on the Rangers' roster, per coach Alain Vigneault, the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Staal's saying all the right things: "I don't take anything for granted. I've come to camp with that mindset every year. You've got to earn your minutes." Regardless of whether he does indeed do that, Staal has seen his usage decline noticeably over the past two seasons, and his offensive contributions -- never prodigious in the first place -- were quite negligible last year, as he managed just 10 points over 72 games. There aren't many fantasy formats where the 30-year-old blueliner will come in handy in 2017-18.

Staal has a no-move clause, which is why he's on the Rangers' protected list ahead of Wednesday's expansion draft, the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

If not for that bit in his contract, Staal would certainly have been left unprotected, but it's unlikely that Vegas would have taken him anyhow -- not with Staal set to come with a ridiculous $5.7 million cap hit for the next four seasons, thanks to the absolutely inexplicable extension the Rangers gave him two years ago. He's avoided a buyout, too, as the Rangers instead opted to give Dan Girardi that treatment this offseason after signing him to a similarly atrocious contract.

Staal notched an assist over 18:40 of ice time in Sunday's road loss to Anaheim.

EDGE Analysis

The point snapped a six-game drought during which Staal put just four shots on goal, which is pretty illustrative of his fantasy value. A heavy hitter with offensive upside in his youth, Staal has never quite been the same player since his brother Eric gave him a concussion on a big hit in 2011; this year, he has just 10 points and 81 hits in 67 games, leaving him off the fantasy radar in the vast majority of formats.

Staal (illness) will be in the lineup Tuesday to take on the Ducks, Steve Zipay of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite missing Monday's practice, the stay-at-home defenseman will be back in his familiar position on the left side of the Rangers' second pairing for Tuesday's tilt. With just 6 points in 43 games this season, Staal is not a reliable fantasy option.

Staal was absent from Monday's practice due to an illness.

EDGE Analysis

Staal should probably be considered questionable against the Ducks on Tuesday given his flu symptoms. The 29-year-old has never been a prolific scorer -- three goals and three assists this season -- with his value coming more as a shutdown defender than anything else. While this makes him hard to replace on the ice, an extended absence is much easier to overcome in fantasy formats. If the Thunder Bay native can't give it a go versus Anaheim, look for Adam Clendening to slot into the Rangers' third pairing.

Staal (concussion) is expected to rejoin the lineup Tuesday against the Blue Jackets, Steve Zipay of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Staal's concussion issues have kept the veteran blueliner sidelined since early January, but his return to the lineup appears imminent. Even if it arrives Tuesday, his six points over 40 contests keep the blueliner largely off the radar in most fantasy formats. He does add a bit of value in leagues that tally blocked shots (55), however.