BY MIKE BROPHY
sportsnet.ca

With injuries to three key veterans on the New York Rangers, the team has turned to one of its youngsters to fill the void of lost leadership.

Defenceman Marc Staal, who was the Rangers top pick (12th overall) in the 2005 NHL entry draft, will wear the alternate captain’s ‘A’ tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs and will continue to wear it while the team’s captain, Chris Drury, and Vinny Prospal and Marian Gaborik recover from their injuries.

“It’s a real honour to be given the ‘A’ and it’s something that I’ll cherish and take seriously,” said the Thunder Bay, Ont., native who is in his fourth NHL season.

The Rangers are off to a bit of a tough start this season, with a 1-2-1 record, and the injury situation certainly won’t help. However, there is hope some if the team’s young players can step it up in the veterans’ absence.

Rookie Derek Stepan, 20, and Brandon Dubinsky, 24, lead the team in goals with three each. In fact Stepan became the fourth player in league history to register a hat trick in his NHL debut. Staal, 23, said he is working hard to take his game to the next level and has two assists in four games.

“Every year I try to be better,” he said. “Last year I worked hard on improving my offensive game and I’m continuing to work on that this season while I also try to be a better two-way player.

“I also know that since I am usually out against the other team’s top players I have to make more of a physical impression. I want the other team to be aware of me when I’m on the ice so I really force myself to follow through on my checks.”