STOCKHOLM — Facing the prospect of perhaps playing the first month of the season without Marc Staal, the Rangers have reopened discussions with 32-year-old free agent defenseman Paul Mara, The Post has learned.
If a contract agreement is reached, the idea would be for Mara, who played 156 games for the Rangers from late in 2006-07 through 2008-09, to join the club in New York on Monday after it returns from Europe.
Mara would then have a full week of practice with the team before its next game, a week from Saturday against the Islanders at the Coliseum.
More immediately, the Rangers recalled freshman Tim Erixon from the AHL Whale in time to play in the opening two games of the season here, Friday against the Kings and Saturday against the Ducks.
Erixon was dispatched to Connecticut last Saturday but coach John Tortorella seems far more comfortable with the prospect of using the Swedish rookie on the line with Steve Eminger as the third pair than he is with giving minutes to either Brendan Bell or Stu Bickel.
Ryan McDonagh will move up to skate on the left side of the first pair with Dan Girardi, and Michael Del Zotto will skate on the second pair with Michael Sauer.
General Manager Glen Sather told The Post this morning that there is no timetable on Staal, who has been suffering from post-concussion intermittent headaches, but that his absence could be long-term.
Staal was placed on the injured list Wednesday and would be eligible to play Oct. 15 against the Islanders.
“Doctors have said that it could be a week, but it could also be a month,” Sather said of the No. 1 defenseman, who has been receiving treatment back home. “I wish we had something absolute, but we don’t.
“If Marc’s out for a substantial length of time, it’s going to have an impact on our club, no doubt about that. He’s our top defenseman, one of our top players, gets the most ice time and is always on against the other team’s top players.
“But it’s something we’ll just have to deal with.”