Despite the fine play of the team of late, both Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi could be in their final five weeks as New York Rangers. This was reported by Darren Dreger and Bob McKenzie on Insider Trading on TSN as well as by Pierre LeBrun on ESPN.com on Tuesday.
Callahan:
"The Rangers are gauging interest in Ryan Callahan and I know that will be a big surprise to New York Rangers fans. There has been much speculation because of the significance of Callahan and Girardi but I am told that Rangers GM Glen Sather has reached out to a number of GMs and he is gauging trade interest on Callahan. Less so on Girardi but the sense is that the Rangers are more comfortable or at least confident that they will get Girardi signed." (Dreger)
"Callahan is searching for a seven-year deal that is worth more than $6 million per season. Callahan will get that type of contract as a UFA". (McKenzie)
"He’s (Callahan) a pending UFA July 1 and so far contract talks have not gone well at all, a source told ESPN.com Tuesday." (LeBrun)
What I wrote on December 10 when Callahan suffered a Grade 2 sprained left MCL is applicable now: "It's something we have said before and given this latest injury, it's an item that will be discussed over and over again, what to do with Callahan when he becomes a free agent? Can you give him Dustin Brown or Ryan Kesler money knowing that his style of play, propensity for injury will cost him 20 games a season? When you combine that with his inability to score and belief by many that he is top-nine and not top-six player, is he worth upwards of $5 mil per season?"
Of course, when you consider that Alexander Steen has already signed. That Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton will no longer be free agents and received matching three year deals worth more than $6.5 million annually. That Thomas Vanek and Paul Stastny may be the most sought after two free agents that are around Callahan's age - yes, Matt Moulson and Grabovski and Jokinen and Vrbata will garner some interest, though not at the Vanek and Stastny levels - his request may not be that outlandish. The reason for that is what you don't get in pure scoring, you make up in all the other aspects he brings to a team. But all that said, as much as I love Callahan, there is no way you can give him a seven-year deal worth $6 million per given his prior injury history, lack of 60-point season, even though part of that is due to injuries, and him turning 29, making him 36 when the deal ends. If the years and/or dollars were different, then I would be on board, but if as reported with no wiggle room, then the Rangers will be searching for a new captain by next year if not sooner. However, if the return would just be middling (meaning if not a good prospect/young player and pick), Sather would be better served to hold onto Callahan, try and keep negotiating, then if needed, deal him before thed raft to someone who things they can sign him and get a pick for those discussions rights.
Girardi:
"Dan Girardi is looking for a long-term deal, seven-years, and upwards of money similar to what Jay Bouwmeester is being paid, $5.4 million. Girardi will get that type of contract if he becomes a UFA." (McKenzie)
"There is a lot of trade interest in Girardi but the Rangers seem to feel more comfortable/confident that they will get Girardi signed. (Dreger)
"Six-years from the Rangers is not out of the question for Girardi and the Rangers would likely prefer to go to five years." (McKenzie)
Bouwmeester is an interesting comparison. He is someone who underachieved in Florida and Calgary but has excelled in St. Louis. Part of the reason for that is he has lots of solid players and d-men around him. Bouwmeester is better offensively than G but has shown to be solid defensively as well, willing to block shots and take the body, though not to the same extent as Girardi. If the Rangers could get him for similar years and close to the dollars as Bouwmeester, who is a year older than Girardi, I think they would jump at the chase. Let's say five and $28-29 million, but knowing how thin the free agent market may be, Girardi could push for and get more, even though his year has been uneven, poor early better now.
To me, the key quote is below, the dollars, the years, all that is ancillary and secondary to the team not wanting to lose an asset for nothing. However, as I wrote in the comments to my prior blog, the viewpoint that they don't believe themselves to be Stanley Cup contenders is what annoys me the most. How do you know right now based on the way you have played lately that this is not the case? I can understand making sure you don't lose an asset for nothing, even ones that have played here their whole careers and are core members of the team, including the captain, making that the driving factor, but don't say you aren't a contender given how lower seeds have contended recently?
“If Callahan or Girardi are not signed by the trade deadline than the team is determined to trade one or both of them, whichever guy is not signed. The Rangers are in the playoff picture but they understand that they are not a cup contender and they are not going to let one or both of the guys walk in the summer for absolutely nothing.” (McKenzie)
GM Glen Sather has two of most difficult decisions of his tenure as Rangers GM. Do you wait and hope that Callahan and Girardi are willing to stay or do you cut bait even though your team is playing better and could be a cup contender with a strong D, solid goaltending and offense that has started to gel? Do you risk breaking up a possible playoff run to avoid getting left at the free agency and re-signing altars with nothing to show for it? Of course, all of this is pure speculation and what's being reported is not what's being demanded, but if it is, instead of talk of a possible playoff push as the calendar approaches March 5, it will be will either be a Ranger for the stretch drive?
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