from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,
General manager Steve Yzerman brought in three new faces, trading for Marc Staal and signing free agents Troy Stecher and Jon Merrill.
Staal, 33, was an especially savvy addition. He adds the experience of having played 892 games for the New York Rangers; he’s a hulking 6-foot-4, 209 pounds and plays like it. After the initial shock of being booted by the only NHL team he’s known — and a heart-to-heart with Yzerman — Staal has embraced the opportunity to help stabilize a team that finished last season in 31st place.