Update:
Per the twitter conversations Boomer had Sunday morning, names ruled out are Marchand, Lucic, Simmonds, Clarkson, Neil and Erat. The latest name I have heard is Martin St. Louis, which makes sense. We have spoken about the team possibly needing more offense up front. St. Louis gives them that and someone, who like Zuccarello, can play on the PP. He is signed through next year at $5.625 million, so the cap won't be a major issue plus he has a history with Richards. It does make the Rangers smaller up front, but the return of Dorsett will help that a bit. Callahan gives Tampa a gritty top-six forward and the conditional pick that Boomer mentioned would kick in if he re-signed by the lightning. In addition, the source mentioned Girardi would re-sign in NY and be named captain. Again, all this is pure speculation but I have heard similar info from two separate individuals.
Boomer Esiaison, who has a fairly good track record in his predictions, as he called the end of the NHL lockout and the Kevin Klein trade, posted a new rumor tonight.
Its coming and it will be huge. Surprising, shocking, inevitable, and all about business. $$$ #NHL #tradedeadline
Esiason then fielded questions on twitter about what he tweeted and the SNYRangersblog did a good job of summarizing the back and forth tweets:
His feeling is that Ryan Callahan will be traded
His feeling is that only one of Callahan and Dan Girardi will be traded
“if it goes through it will be nuts around here.”
He thinks that Pitt will acquire Chris Stewart
The team is in the East
It’s 90% and works for both teams
Could be a 1 for 1 trade with potentially a conditional draft pick
It’s a forward
His sense is that fans would not be happy initially
Callahan will be going as a rental player
The trade doesn’t involve Stepan, Nash, Staal or Lundqvist
The deal makes the Rangers look like both sellers and buyers
It is not Callahan for Stewart
It is not for Matt Moulson
He has “major” respect for the player coming back
It is not Colorado
It is not for Brandon Dubinsky
To me, a few names stand out. It could be Ottawa for someone like Bobby Ryan or Milan Michalek, of the two, no interest in Michalek and would love Ryan. Another possibility is Chris Neil, who brings sandpaper in his game and is someone who someone that Esiason has major respect for, fitting that criteria.
Based on his use of the word shocking, to me that would be Philadelphia and Wayne Simmonds and it's also someone the Rangers fanbase has not liked much. If you think about shocking teams to deal with, Philly is at the top of the list as are Pittsburgh, Boston (Lucic/Marchand), New Jersey and the Islanders. The latter two could be out due to their place in the standings while the former two are a bit unlikely, as don't think Callahan would re-sign in either place due to the cap, though if as a rental, it's feasible but even so, I feel the first two would be more plausible, but very unlikely.
It could be Buffalo, maybe for Ott, but depends on if the Sabres want to get a jump start and try and sign him now to avoid free agency and are willing to give up an asset to do so.
Montreal is another possibility for Pacioretty as they could look to increase the grit and leadership in the room. You could also consider Washington, but unsure who could be coming back. Names like Tlusty, Fleischmann etc have been mentioned but don't think those teams would be in on Cally nor would the Rangers be that interested in the player coming back.
In summary, Ryan, Pacioretty or someone of that ilk makes sense. The bar and focus on a deal just got ratcheted it, expect a crazy 48 hours until the freeze is lifted and run until the trade deadline has passed.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»