C'mon, everyone on here. Don't pay him, he's not worth the money etc. This is not new news Jim.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

well, a lot of people say silly things on hockeybuzz don't they.

Like "Stepan isn't working on his skating"

well, a lot of people say silly things on hockeybuzz don't they.

Like "Stepan isn't working on his skating"
- jimbro83

Hell people were demanding that hank be traded and the team should be blown up. The farthest I went was saying that between cally and girardi, im starting to think that maybe cally might be moreexpendable due to the fact that I dont trust any other dman besides staal playing girardis minutes.

But I am definitely not demanding a trade or that we let him walk.

well, a lot of people say silly things on hockeybuzz don't they.

Like "Stepan isn't working on his skating"
- jimbro83

Listen, Stepan is very good player, who could become a great player if he worked on a couple of his shortcomings. Skating is one of them, his upper body strength is another. As far as I can see, he has not made the effort necessary to take his game to the next level. I hope he does, he has Stan Mikita type talent.

Listen, Stepan is very good player, who could become a great player if he worked on a couple of his shortcomings. Skating is one of them, his upper body strength is another. As far as I can see, he has not made the effort necessary to take his game to the next level. I hope he does, he has Stan Mikita type talent.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

C'mon Stan Mikita is a legend. No way he'll ever be that good. I want the Rangers to keep him. I just don't think he's suited to be an Olympic quality center.

C'mon Stan Mikita is a legend. No way he'll ever be that good. I want the Rangers to keep him. I just don't think he's suited to be an Olympic quality center.
- tomburton99

Mikita played in an era when 6'0 180lbs. was considered a little above average. His greatest skills were his ability to see the ice, and he made all wingers who played with him better. Just ask guys like Doug Mohns and Kenny Wharram. Stepan has the same qualities, we'll see about the desire.

Listen, Stepan is very good player, who could become a great player if he worked on a couple of his shortcomings. Skating is one of them, his upper body strength is another. As far as I can see, he has not made the effort necessary to take his game to the next level. I hope he does, he has Stan Mikita type talent.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I saw Stan Mikita play and no, he does not. Not even close.

Mikita had 541 goals and 926 assists for 1467 points and 1270 PIMs in his 1394 NHL regular season game career. He added 51 goals and 91 assists and 169 PIMs in 155 playoff games.

Look, I like Derek Stepan but he will be lucky to get half the goals and assists that Mikita had.

Mikita played in an era when 6'0 180lbs. was considered a little above average. His greatest skills were his ability to see the ice, and he made all wingers who played with him better. Just ask guys like Doug Mohns and Kenny Wharram. Stepan has the same qualities, we'll see about the desire.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I guess I'll take your word for it. You saw him play, I didn't

I saw Stan Mikita play and no, he does not. Not even close.

Mikita had 541 goals and 926 assists for 1467 points and 1270 PIMs in his 1394 NHL regular season game career. He added 51 goals and 91 assists and 169 PIMs in 155 playoff games.

Look, I like Derek Stepan but he will be lucky to get half the goals and assists that Mikita had.
- Downeaster

Look, I'm just as old as you are, I saw Stan Mikita play many, many times. My point is, he has the talent to become an elite player if he takes the steps (no pun intended) to do so. Perhaps, the comparison to Mikita is a little much, but I do see similarities in their game.

Hope all of you guys have a Happy New Year! I was glad to see Cally, Step and Mac added to the Olympic roster, looking forward to seeing them on Team USA... After that good news, the topper was seeing Pyatt on waivers! A little late but I'll take it.

One thing I'm trying to figure out is, with AV maybe we're not watching the same team? How is Del Zotto fighting for 3rd pair or even getting in a game according to AV, but John Moore isn't? I think it's safe to say both of these guys have underachieved this year. Del Zotto is not providing offense and turning the puck over at times, bad combo. I could say the same for John Moore and you haven't heard nearly as much talk from AV about him. Gotta be something else going on behind the scenes, maybe AV pissed DZ complained to the media.

Check out some previous blogs. A lot of people want to trade Cally rather than give him a new contract (because of his injury history?)

Resigning Callahan is a no-brainer, IMO. I am not sure why you'd trade your captain and heart-and-soul of the team for any reason.
- mames11

Yes, I'm one of the guys who is very much against a long term, big money deal for Cally becuase as he gets older & continues to get more injured from his style of play the deal could be brutal...but "run out of town'? NOBOBY said that on here, no one.

Hope all of you guys have a Happy New Year! I was glad to see Cally, Step and Mac added to the Olympic roster, looking forward to seeing them on Team USA... After that good news, the topper was seeing Pyatt on waivers! A little late but I'll take it.

One thing I'm trying to figure out is, with AV maybe we're not watching the same team? How is Del Zotto fighting for 3rd pair or even getting in a game according to AV, but John Moore isn't? I think it's safe to say both of these guys have underachieved this year. Del Zotto is not providing offense and turning the puck over at times, bad combo. I could say the same for John Moore and you haven't heard nearly as much talk from AV about him. Gotta be something else going on behind the scenes, maybe AV pissed DZ complained to the media.
- pcjr307

I think AV prefers Moore over DZ because Moore is the better skater, but I think AV gets aggravated at Moore too and he may be a healthy scratch tomorrow.

Talk about an odd bunch. You're all defending Stepan's addition to the USA squad, actually I could care less about the Olympics. They are suppose to be about amateur sports. But I digress. Yet the same defenders of Step are ready to run Ryan Callahan out of town and all he's done is bust his a$$ for you the "fans" and the organization game in, game out. Odd bunch indeed.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

The Callahan argument is my least favorite argument on this board, because I find myself expressing concern about retaining who is perhaps my favorite player on the team. With that said, as much as I like him, I can't help but be a little concerned about paying him $30 million over 5 years, because I fear that the intangibles that would be the basis of that contract will diminish with age (or be effected by injury). And, if that happens, then the Rangers, who already have a hard time putting the puck in the net, will be paying a 45 point type of player $6 million a year.

Again, I hate the Callahan debate, because I am not comfortable saying any bad about the player. But, the Rangers are going to have some difficult choices to make regarding their impending UFAs.

The Callahan argument is my least favorite argument on this board, because I find myself expressing concern about retaining who is perhaps my favorite player on the team. With that said, as much as I like him, I can't help but be a little concerned about paying him $30 million over 5 years, because I fear that the intangibles that would be the basis of that contract will diminish with age (or be effected by injury). And, if that happens, then the Rangers, who already have a hard time putting the puck in the net, will be paying a 45 point type of player $6 million a year.

Again, I hate the Callahan debate, because I am not comfortable saying any bad about the player. But, the Rangers are going to have some difficult choices to make regarding their impending UFAs.
- Pete V

Exactly Pete & that is my argument & others (I think Midnight), not tayht we don't want him back.

I think AV prefers Moore over DZ because Moore is the better skater, but I think AV gets aggravated at Moore too and he may be a healthy scratch tomorrow.
- jimbro83

It could be, Moore definitely is the better skater for sure, I was really hoping for a breakout year from him after how good he looked last year. It's tough for Moore, DZ and Falk because the way this has gone is you make one mistake and you're sitting out. I'm sure that's putting tons of pressure on those 3, all trying to be perfect and make great plays to standout.

Conor Allen has fit in real nicely so far hopefully that continues.

Exactly Pete & that is my argument & others (I think Midnight), not tayht we don't want him back.
- B2B76

I think there are also some people that want to blow up the team now and give up on the season, and that includes trading Callahan and Girardi because they are pending UFA's.

I do not consider myself one of those people at all

It could be, Moore definitely is the better skater for sure, I was really hoping for a breakout year from him after how good he looked last year. It's tough for Moore, DZ and Falk because the way this has gone is you make one mistake and you're sitting out. I'm sure that's putting tons of pressure on those 3, all trying to be perfect and make great plays to standout.

Conor Allen has fit in real nicely so far hopefully that continues.
- pcjr307

what would take pressure off the D would be the offense scoring goals.

I think all the defensemen are so deathly afraid of making a mistake and it affects their play because this team cannot score goals.

I think there are also some people that want to blow up the team now and give up on the season, and that includes trading Callahan and Girardi because they are pending UFA's.

I do not consider myself one of those people at all
- jimbro83

I'm kinda leaning towards that. Even with 4 wins over their last 5 games they can't seem to make up any ground. Every time they win other teams in East and seemingly the Metro win while going into OT or a shootout. I've never seen a season where the Rangers were this unlucky.

I'm kinda leaning towards that. Even with 4 wins over their last 5 games they can't seem to make up any ground. Every time they win other teams in East and seemingly the Metro win while going into OT or a shootout. I've never seen a season where the Rangers were this unlucky.
- tomburton99

I think at the deadline, if the Rangers are 6 points or more out of a playoff spot, they'll consider selling. I don't think there is a chance if they are close though.

Exactly Pete & that is my argument & others (I think Midnight), not tayht we don't want him back.
- B2B76

Midnight is a little harsher on Callahan, in that he considers him nothing more than a depth forward. I don't agree with the depth forward characterization in the least bit. But, when a player gets a $6 million contract, the expectations for that player change. You need to produce numbers for that type of money, because a $6 million contract prevents the team from doing other things to help the club offensively.

It's a tough call on Callahan, but to be honest, I expect the Rangers to pay him. I just hope they can widdle the number down a little.

I'm kinda leaning towards that. Even with 4 wins over their last 5 games they can't seem to make up any ground. Every time they win other teams in East and seemingly the Metro win while going into OT or a shootout. I've never seen a season where the Rangers were this unlucky.
- tomburton99

Rangers need to seriously get with the program and put a REAL winning streak together in order to gain more ground. If they can piece a 5 or 6 game winning streak together (AND not followd by a 4 game losing one) they will climb fast in the standings being in such a p!ss-poor division.

Citizenkwarren: Bobby Ryan called Brian Burke's comments of his play "gutless"

Citizenkwarren: Bobby Ryan called Brian Burke's comments of his play "gutless"
- jimbro83

‏@seangentille 7m
Bobby Ryan calls back Brian Burke, literally spells "intensity," hangs up.

I laughed at this.

Citizenkwarren: Bobby Ryan called Brian Burke's comments of his play "gutless"
- jimbro83

Burke definetely savaged Ryan, but if you believe the insider reporting, Poile asked the American GM braintrust "who had concerns about Bobby Ryan", and a flurry of hands went up. Burke isn't the only one.

Personally, I think Bobby Ryan is the kind of player that can score alot of goals, and really doesn't do much else. There may have been a need for that on this team, so I am not necessarily saying he shouldn't have made it, but I also think he is one of the most overrated players in the NHL. Just my opinion.

Yes, the teams atrocious because the 3 month wonder okposo didn't make it, meanwhile Stepan has already had 3 solid years including almost a ppg season last year. Go cry somewhere else.
- JohnnyNYR

Guess you were'nt watching last year? If Okposo is a three month wonder what do you call Stepan?

Guess you were'nt watching last year? If Okposo is a three month wonder what do you call Stepan?
- Cptmjl

you guys all seem to be denying that every one of you has wanted Okposo traded at one time or another before his recent point streak