He joins his seventh NHL team. Originally a first round pick of expansion Tampa Bay, Hamrlik’s also played for Edmonton, the Islanders, Calgary, Montreal and Washington. In the final year of a multi-year contract that pays him $7 million, he’s played in just four games with the Caps registering one assist. He is a reliable puck moving D who can aid the Rangers, who’ll be without Marc Staal who is out indefinitely after taking a puck just above his right eye last night.

There aren’t any updates on Staal. Just that he’ll miss time. It’s the latest blow to a team that was beginning to get healthy. Staal was playing some of his best hockey. He had gotten back to the level that made him an All-Star prior to the concussion that kept him out for the first half last year. With Ryan McDonagh struggling, John Tortorella reteamed him with Dan Girardi. Once again, they played against top lines and were having success.

Staal leads all Ranger defensemen in assists (11), points (13) and hits (47). He even scored a rare power play goal in a recent win over Tampa Bay. During last year’s run to the Conference Finals, it was his power play tally in sudden death that stunned Washington, allowing the Blueshirts to capture Game Five 3-2. His goal followed Brad Richards late heroics which forced overtime. Staal had six points (3-3-6) last postseason and was arguably the team’s best defenseman.

His setback presents another challenge for the Rangers, who will lean heavily on Girardi, McDonagh and Mike Del Zotto. Hamrlik can log important minutes and Anton Stralman should see a heavier workload. It’s a calculated risk by Glen Sather, who probably along with Tortorella doesn’t want any part of Stu Bickel or Matt Gilroy as the team’s sixth defenseman. For now at least, Bickel is being used on the fourth line. Steve Eminger has regained the No.6 spot. He’s been steady.

The blueline should look like this:

McDonagh-Girardi
Hamrlik-Stralman
Del Zotto-Eminger

Look for Tortorella to mix it up.