Marc Staal ecstatic to return to Detroit after signing extension

DETROIT -- Last weekend, the Detroit Red Wings secured their players of the future in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, and now, Steve Yzerman continues securing players of the present as he hones in on completing Detroit's roster for the 2021-22 season.
The Red Wings' executive vice president and general manager added another piece to the puzzle Sunday by agreeing to terms with veteran defenseman Marc Staal on a one-year extension.

Staal, who was an impending free agent for the 2021-22 campaign, said it was an easy decision to remain in Detroit.
"I liked their attitude, I liked the organization. It's just a first-class organization," Staal said Monday. "The facility is beautiful, the fans, the hockey market; just a lot of great things about playing for the Red Wings and I learned that pretty quickly last year. I had an opportunity to sign up for it again and it didn't take me too long to make the decision, so I'm excited to be back."

Staal, who was originally the 12th overall pick of the New York Rangers in 2005, joined the Red Wings last season after 13 seasons in New York.
The 6-foot-4, 209-pound blueliner was one of two Red Wings to play all 56 games last season (along with Filip Hronek). Staal tallied 10 points (3-7-10) in 2020-21 and earned a pair of career milestones, playing his 900th NHL game on January 28 and notching 150 assists on April 28.
The 34-year-old defenseman said he likes the direction the Red Wings are headed and he respects the way Yzerman is rebuilding the club.
"He's trying to build a winner," Staal said about Yzerman. "He's going to move some pieces around and we're getting more competitive. I thought we got better as the year went on last year and I think we'll be better again. That's what we're striving for.
"And it's a fun thing to be a part of. The fact that he wanted me back to help and be a part of this organization, this team, was a pretty exciting opportunity."

Two of the reasons Staal is excited to be back in Detroit are the additions of defenseman Nick Leddy and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, who the Red Wings acquired in separate trades the last two weeks.
"I played against Leddy for a lot of years in New York. He's an incredibly skilled player," Staal said about the new Red Wings defenseman. "The guy can fly. I'm excited to be able to play with him and not against him. Leddy makes our team better, no question."
Staal's brother, Jordan, played with Nedeljkovic in Carolina last season, and the Wings defenseman said he's looking forward for his turn to play in front of the young netminder.
"Jordan spoke very highly of him. He had a great year last year." Staal said about Nedeljkovic. "I know from just playing against him, he plays the puck extremely well. So I love that part of this. I'll probably take a few less hits with him handling the puck back there. He's a competitive guy and I'm excited to meet him and play in front of him."

The 14-year NHL veteran is also looking forward to being a mentor to some of the young Red Wings defensemen, including Hronek, Gustav Lindstrom and 2019 sixth overall pick Moritz Seider, who will look to make his NHL debut next season.
"I had some great veteran players when I was coming up in New York," Staal said. "It definitely helps to lean on them and pick their brain of how you get through an 82-game schedule. It's hard for a young player to gain that consistency early on his career, so that's part of it where I'll try to help."
Staal has spent the offseason training near his home in Thunder Bay, Ontario, but now that he's re-signed, the defenseman said he plans to return to Detroit as soon as possible, and he's champing at the bit to begin the 2021-22 campaign.
"I really enjoyed myself (last season). The organization, the team, the way we were playing, what's been going on there, I just want to be a part of," Staal said. "I'm excited to get down there and get this thing started again."