Rangers defenseman Marc Staal was sent home from training camp Monday after he told team trainers that he "didn't feel good", according to head coach John Tortorella.

This is of concern to the team because just one day earlier Tortorella revealed that Staal suffered a concussion late last season and had been experiencing headaches while working out this summer. As a result Tortorella will not play Staal in any of the team's training camp scrimmages, and he will not take part in any preseason games for at least another week, if not more.


However this is more of a concern to the Rangers and their fans than it is to fantasy hockey owners. Staal is an All Star defenseman, but that is built mainly on his play on the defensive side of the puck.

While some fantasy hockey experts have projected Staal to be a 35 or 40-point scorer this year, I see him more as a 30-point producer---with 35 near his ceiling.

Staal would not have been a defensemen I would have targeted come fantasy draft time, but now, for sure, I would advise fantasy hockey owners to stay away due to the health risk involved.

Send your fantasy hockey questions and comments to jimcerny@gmail.com