Making the case for the Detroit Red Wings to re-sign Marc Staal

After an inconsistent 2021–22 season, the Detroit Red Wings have many questions to answer as they head into the summer. In particular, the team has much to do to bolster its group of left-handed defensemen. There are only four defenders on the current roster who are signed for the 2022–23 season. Jordan Oesterle is the only left-handed member of that bunch. Anything can happen, but it would be a big surprise if pending UFA Danny DeKeyser returned to the Red Wings next season. Newcomers Jake Walman and Olli Juolevi have had their moments but haven’t shown enough to be guaranteed a spot if they re-sign with the organization. That leaves Marc Staal, who has been a positive presence on and off the ice in his second season with the Red Wings. The pending UFA defenceman provides the type of leadership that a developing team needs and has proven himself capable of holding the fort on a second or third pairing at this stage in his career. Staal has been the Red Wings’ most reliable left-handed defender all year long