Callahan is probably their second best player, in screening opposing goalies and deflecting shots from the point.

Kreider is a little bit better and more skilled, than Callahan, thus he gets a big chunk of that power play time.

Listen, you took it the wrong way, I do think Callahan is a valuable player, just not at his current asking price. If he can lower his demands a bit I think Sather will attempt to get a deal done. A million dollars per season less and take two years off of the current want and I am perfectly ok with seeing him stay.

Dump and chase hockey is a playoff staple but, for teams that make big runs, scoring is also paramount. The Rangers defense hasn't taken a hit with their new style of play.

Despite the early season road trip, where they were allowing an obscene amount of goals, they still rank in the top ten in goals against, league-wide.
- MidnightMarauder

totally with you on this

Ever since we beat the Hawks we have played very well. I just don't get how people can say we aren't at least a middle of the pack playoff team. Where if things break right we can win.

I want to focus on an offer Pete proposed that's eating me up. Saad for Cally. I think I can accept that and even be excited by it. Saad is versatile, almost made the Olympic team. And is young. Would you do that trade right now?
- mrhattrick27

The Rangers can get past Boston, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Anaheim or San Jose to win it all?

Do I think the Rangers are better than what I gave them credit for, earlier in the season? Yes.

But let's put it in perspective a bit; the Rangers are not a true cup contender.

totally with you on this
- jimbro83

The President's stamp of approval!

Seriously though, if Callahan can be a little more flexible on this, a deal can get done.

If he doesn't budge I don't see how not trading Callahan is such a bad thing.

Many desperate teams will overpay for a rental. Have to crack a few eggs in order to make an omelette.

Is Ryan Callahan the same player he was two years ago? Is he as good, or is he declining?

Trade freeze starts Feb 7 and ends I think on Feb 25 with deadline on March 5
- airjan23

Ah-ha...thanks Jan. That pretty much only leaves three weeks to make deals. There's going to be some serious talk soon.

The President's stamp of approval!

Seriously though, if Callahan can be a little more flexible on this, a deal can get done.

If he doesn't budge I don't see how not trading Callahan is such a bad thing.

Many desperate teams will overpay for a rental. Have to crack a few eggs in order to make an omelette.
- MidnightMarauder

there are going to be way more buyers than sellers. A desperate team that has never won a Cup out in the West and thinks they are a piece away may like a guy like Callahan. Even one that has won one a couple of years ago.

The Rangers can get past Boston, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Anaheim or San Jose to win it all?

Do I think the Rangers are better than what I gave them credit for, earlier in the season? Yes.

But let's put it in perspective a bit; the Rangers are not a true cup contender.
- MidnightMarauder

What I am saying is, they aren't so far off that if Cally's demands stay the same that I am going to take $0.50 on the dollar just to get something as if we are a cellar team. The team is decent enough that I would let it ride, and see what happens in the playoffs.

The Rangers can get past Boston, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Anaheim or San Jose to win it all?

Do I think the Rangers are better than what I gave them credit for, earlier in the season? Yes.

But let's put it in perspective a bit; the Rangers are not a true cup contender.
- MidnightMarauder

Like you said, its Pittsburgh and Boston in the East. Nobody else is appreciably better than the Rangers. There is a chance that they might only have to see one of them in a playoff run, because upsets always happen. Hell, the year that they lost to Jersey, both Pitt and Boston were upset and the Rangers didn't have to see either.

As far as the West, that is so far down the line, that you worry about it when it happens. I agree with your overall sentiment, but I also think the Rangers could be dangerous if all cylinders start firing at once.

Is Ryan Callahan the same player he was two years ago? Is he as good, or is he declining?
- Pete V

Or has he simply not found a way to be as effective under a new coach and system? Or are injuries kept him from get into any kind of groove this season? These are questions that the Rangers or any team that may attempt to sign him this summer as a free agent. Can he still be the Ryan Callahan we all know and respect for another four seasons? Or is he at the tipping point where his production and play will continue to regress?

there are going to be way more buyers than sellers. A desperate team that has never won a Cup out in the West and thinks they are a piece away may like a guy like Callahan. Even one that has won one a couple of years ago.
- jimbro83

I agree. I think the market would be good enough for Callahan that my scenario wouldn't matter. I think Sather is on board, with that too.

I predict we either sign Cally or get some real nice assets back that we will all be happy with.

Like you said, its Pittsburgh and Boston in the East. Nobody else is appreciably better than the Rangers. There is a chance that they might only have to see one of them in a playoff run, because upsets always happen. Hell, the year that they lost to Jersey, both Pitt and Boston were upset and the Rangers didn't have to see either.

As far as the West, that is so far down the line, that you worry about it when it happens. I agree with your overall sentiment, but I also think the Rangers could be dangerous if all cylinders start firing at once.
- Pete V

I agree. It would take Hank playing at the top of his game, some unexpected contributions and a few lucky bounces but if things fell right I do believe they can beat Boston and Pittsburgh in a series. And lets be honest on Pittsburgh; until we see MAF get through a single playoff series looking like a capable NHL starting goaltender the Penguins can't be considered a "favorite."

Is Ryan Callahan the same player he was two years ago? Is he as good, or is he declining?
- Pete V

I don't think he has regressed, but I know as much as I like him, I don't want to go from him having a 4.2 million cap hit to a 6.2 million cap hit as he gets older.

I don't think he has regressed, but I know as much as I like him, I don't want to go from him having a 4.2 million cap hit to a 6.2 million cap hit as he gets older.
- jimbro83

Exactly, he hasn't regressed. But what has he done that shows he is worth $2M more?

I agree. I think the market would be good enough for Callahan that my scenario wouldn't matter. I think Sather is on board, with that too.

I predict we either sign Cally or get some real nice assets back that we will all be happy with.
- mrhattrick27

I assure you there will be a segment of this fan base that will not be happy with a trade of Callahan, period. There is never unanimity with this group.

I assure you there will be a segment of this fan base that will not be happy with a trade of Callahan, period. There is never unanimity with this group.
- gkmkiller

I don't care how good the return is, even if I logically agree with it. I will feel like I will be kicked in the gut if that day comes.

I don't think he has regressed, but I know as much as I like him, I don't want to go from him having a 4.2 million cap hit to a 6.2 million cap hit as he gets older.
- jimbro83

I'm actually throwing the question out there, because I'm not sure. I don't notice him playing with the same reckless abandon that he used to play with, and there are games where I just don't notice him that much (which never used to be the case). Maybe given his injury history, he's just picking his spots a little more, but when he was at his most effective, he would forecheck like a demon, throw the body, and otherwise play like a pain in the ass.

Exactly, he hasn't regressed. But what has he done that shows he is worth $2M more?
- mrhattrick27

Reach unrestricted free agency where any club looking for what he brings to the table can bid on his services. The institution has always, always rewarded players for what they have done rather than for what they are likely to do under the full terms of the new contract.

Exactly, he hasn't regressed. But what has he done that shows he is worth $2M more?
- mrhattrick27

He got older, hit UFA status, and now has negotiating leverage. That is what he did.

I don't care how good the return is, even if I logically agree with it. I will feel like I will be kicked in the gut if that day comes.
- mrhattrick27

I will at best grudgingly accept it if and when that day comes. Kind of like the days they traded Graves and Leetch. Hated moving those guys even if it may have been best for the organization. It wouldn't have mattered what the return was then either. Just was unhappy that the Rangers dealt those two guys.

Callahan is probably their second best player, in screening opposing goalies and deflecting shots from the point.

Kreider is a little bit better and more skilled, than Callahan, thus he gets a big chunk of that power play time.

Listen, you took it the wrong way, I do think Callahan is a valuable player, just not at his current asking price. If he can lower his demands a bit I think Sather will attempt to get a deal done. A million dollars per season less and take two years off of the current want and I am perfectly ok with seeing him stay.
ed
Dump and chase hockey is a playoff staple but, for teams that make big runs, scoring is also paramount. The Rangers defense hasn't taken a hit with their new style of play.
We agree, and still AV doesn't give him a sniff on the PP, that's why I think this has more to do with him than Callahan's alleged salary demands, which I'm sure are negotiable.

Despite the early season road trip, where they were allowing an obscene amount of goals, they still rank in the top ten in goals against, league-wide.
- MidnightMarauder

[quote=OLDSCHOOL#6]
Sorry, I don't what happened there. We agree, and still he doesn't get a sniff our the PP. I have the feeling this has more to with AV, than it does Callalhan's alleged salary demands, which I'm sure is negotiable.

He got older, hit UFA status, and now has negotiating leverage. That is what he did.
- Pete V

but the problem, from Callahan's perpsective is that two years ago, besides Gaborik, he was the Rangers best forward.

There are other forwards now passing him by.

Reach unrestricted free agency where any club looking for what he brings to the table can bid on his services. The institution has always, always rewarded players for what they have done rather than for what they are likely to do under the full terms of the new contract.
- gkmkiller

This is one of the better statements I have read about FA in awhile.

I will at best grudgingly accept it if and when that day comes. Kind of like the days they traded Graves and Leetch. Hated moving those guys even if it may have been best for the organization. It wouldn't have mattered what the return was then either. Just was unhappy that the Rangers dealt those two guys.
- gkmkiller

Would it be cap circumvention if we struck a deal with the Panthers to have them sign him for 6 years/36 million, and then trade him back to us retaining $2 million of his annual cap hit for some good young prospect? I guess it would be, right?

I'm actually throwing the question out there, because I'm not sure. I don't notice him playing with the same reckless abandon that he used to play with, and there are games where I just don't notice him that much (which never used to be the case). Maybe given his injury history, he's just picking his spots a little more, but when he was at his most effective, he would forecheck like a demon, throw the body, and otherwise play like a pain in the ass.
- Pete V

He knows, or his agent told him, that he needs to tone it down because one more injury this season will cost him on his new contract.