Flyers sign defenseman Marc Staal to one-year deal

After Day 1 of free agency, Flyers general manager Danny Brière was still searching for someone who could add a veteran presence to the defensive corps. Marc Staal was not on his list. On Monday, though, Brière signed Staal to a one-year, $1.1 million contract.

“To be honest, we never thought that a player like Marc Staal would have any interest in coming here,” Brière said.

» READ MORE: Flyers sign Garnet Hathaway to two-year, $4.75 million contract

Staal, 36, more than qualifies as the veteran presence the Flyers were looking to add to their defense. He has played in 1,101 NHL games. He has worn three jerseys (New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Florida Panthers). He has been to the playoffs 11 times, played in 128 postseason games. And he most recently helped the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final, contributing more than 20 minutes a night across 21 playoff games. He was one of only four defensemen in the Final to average more than 20 minutes.

Typically, successful players at the end of their careers aren’t looking to join a rebuilding team that doesn’t have a chance at a Cup and is prioritizing youth. But Staal liked the idea of being closer to his native Canada, playing for coach John Tortorella, and being a part of a historic organization, Brière said.

Staal is very clear on what his role is. He wants to be a mentor to the younger players, and he’ll try to push everyone to compete for a spot.

“We were very clear with him about what we’re doing here and where the process is going,” Brière said. “He wants to help out.”

There is not a no-trade clause in Staal’s contract, but Brière said the Flyers will respect what the veteran wants to do at the trade deadline because he has “earned the right.”

Staal is reuniting with Tortorella, whom he played for in five of his 13 seasons as a Ranger. Staal was a Ranger from 2007-20. He was named an alternate captain in his fourth season with the Rangers at age 23, a year after Tortorella arrived. Last season, Tortorella had only one player with a captain’s designation, Scott Laughton, who was an alternate. Along with Cam Atkinson, who is supposed to return next season, Staal will be able to act as a liaison between Tortorella and the locker room.

As soon as Tortorella heard that the Flyers had a chance of signing Staal, he was on board, Brière said, as was the rest of the staff.

“Another physical presence, a guy that can skate, that can kill penalties, there’s a lot of assets,” Brière said. “His presence, especially, as a veteran, the way he’s liked on all the teams that he plays, how tough he is to play against as well. It just helps, I think, with the development of our young guys.”

Staal had three goals and 12 assists in 82 regular-season games last season. He averaged more than 18 minutes a night and finished with a plus-10 rating. He played a physical game with 122 blocked shots and 152 hits. Staal also played a significant role on the Panthers’ power play, which finished the regular season ranked 23rd in the league.

Last season, Staal also made headlines when he boycotted the Panthers’ Pride Night with his brother, Eric, who was a center on the team. Eric is also a free agent.

Brière thought he was done for the day at 3:30 p.m. Sunday on the first day of free agency.

He’d signed Ryan Poehling, a depth center, and while he had talked to other agents, he assumed they had moved on. Then he received a call from Garnet Hathaway’s camp.

“It was my bad because I assumed that they had moved in a different direction,” Brière said with a laugh. “And he called back later in the day, the agent told me, ‘Don’t ever assume you’re out until I tell you so.’”

At 9:30 that night, the Flyers and the former Boston Bruins winger came to an agreement and he signed a two-year, $4.75 million contract.

Hathaway is not quite as veteran as Staal, but he has a lot of NHL experience under his belt. Brière said Hathaway’s physical and aggressive game fits the Flyers. He also brings some more speed to the lineup.