Greenburgh, NY

New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal admitted that he cannot fully recover from an injured right eye but that will not stop him from competing at the highest possible level.

"It's probably not going to be 100 percent," Staal said of his injury. "But that's not to say it's not going to get a lot better. It's still improving."

"My belief is that once everything settles down and I get comfortable with it, I'll never have to be asked about it again. I don't think it'll be an issue," he added.

The 26-year-old Staal sustained a small tear in his right eye after taking a puck to the face in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers March 5. As a result, he missed 27 regular-season games and 11 playoff games as a result.

Staal admitted that he was frightened and thought whether the injury could end his career.

"Scary injury," Staal said. "One of the first things, when you're sitting on the table, going through your head is if you're going to be able to see again. I was fortunate it wasn't worse."

Staal returned in Game 3 of the team's first-round series against the Capitals but struggled due to several issues with his injured eye.

Staal said pressure in his eye spiked and dropped, causing dizziness and disorientation. Sometimes, he said that his eye would cramp up and cause him headaches.

"It would be tough to get through a practice, never mind a game," Staal said.

After the injury, Staal said he recently voted in an informal NHLPA poll in favor of mandatory visor use. "Having gone through what I did," Staal said, "I don't want anyone else to do that."

Rangers coach John Tortorella said Staal's absence hurt the Rangers chances of advancing further in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"When Marc Staal was injured -- and he's had a tough couple of years here -- he was playing his best hockey I've seen him play since I've been here," coach John Tortorella said. "That hurt us."

 

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Rangers Marc Staal: 'I can still compete at highest possible level'