The New York Rangers claimed veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik off waivers from the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

The move comes one day after Rangers defenseman Marc Staal was hit in the right eye by a deflected slap shot during Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Staal was injured 5:45 into the third period when Kimmo Timonen's slap shot was deflected up and into his face. Staal immediately left the ice and did not return to the game. The Rangers have not provided an update on his condition as of yet, but one is reportedly expected to come Wednesday.

Hamrlik, 38, was placed on waivers by the Capitals on Tuesday. He was a healthy scratch in 16 of the team's 20 games. He is in the final year of a two-year contract that carries a $3.5 million salary cap hit. By claiming him, the Rangers pick up the remainder of Hamrlik's contract and cap hit.