Captain Callahan: not on his game

[RangersHank*]

I agree he needs to bring it every night, but when the rest of the team is not, it can make him look bad very easily. Why do you think he got moved up with Nash tonight? He was making efforts and AV moved him up, because Kreider was playing like an idiot again.

Plus, 4 points in 6 games is not struggling offensively? One being a clutch goal.

Ugh, it's just frustrating because the entire team is sucking now and if I see one ray of hope it's with Callahan.

Stepan has been playing worse and he gets a pass?

Dude, Callahan is bad. I'm not getting into it about him. He is just bad ok

 

[StepansLabyrinth]

Callahan is not bad, he's actually a very good player. He's never going to be a top 6 forward in this system, though. There are plenty of teams where he'd fit in much better.

 

[Cake or Death]

Dude, Callahan is bad. I'm not getting into it about him. He is just bad ok

I understand the frustration right now, but that's a bit ridiculous. He started the season hurt, has been hurt again. But healthy Callahan plays ES, PP, PK and is solid in all situations, particularly strong on the PP and PK. Blocks shots, plays with energy. Add to that what he did among fellow RWs in his prior three seasons - 12th in goals, 21st in pts, 3rd in PPG, 9th in SHG, 5th in GPG, 13th in PPG - that is not a bad player.

 

[Leonardo87]

Callahan is not bad, he's actually a very good player. He's never going to be a top 6 forward in this system, though. There are plenty of teams where he'd fit in much better.

Most teams he fits into a top 6 situation. If you score between 20 to 30 goals in a season, then you are usually a 2nd liner, 1st on some teams.

I understand the frustration right now, but that's a bit ridiculous. He started the season hurt, has been hurt again. But healthy Callahan plays ES, PP, PK and is solid in all situations, particularly strong on the PP and PK. Blocks shots, plays with energy. Add to that what he did among fellow RWs in his prior three seasons - 12th in goals, 21st in pts, 3rd in PPG, 9th in SHG, 5th in GPG, 13th in PPG - that is not a bad player.

I understand people's frustrations with this team, and they want to go after the Captain. However, he has 4 points in the last 6 games, which is nothing but good. He has been up and down this season due to injuries. It's not really fair to call for his trade or not have him sign an extension. He will bounce back.

If he does leave, Like you said, you would have to find a forward who not only scores a good amount of goals, but someone who blocks shots, makes hits (which he is starting to engage in that again), kill off penalties, and have someone good in front of the net on the PP, and someone to bring that grit style of play which I think is badly needed now with this team.

Not saying he is playing great now, but there are guys playing so bad, he is the least of the Rangers concerns right now.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I never got the impression that Callahan was much of a leader off the ice. He just doesnt seem like that sort of personality.

You could always count on him bringing effort and heart on the ice every night. Where has that been this season? I think hes the prime example of someone trying to adjust to a system that doesn't mesh with his game. Girardi being the other.

Oh, and by the way, both of these guys are going to get massively overpaid this offseason. Time to get what you can at the deadline for these guys.

 

[Garv23]

Wow. I'll be that guy who says he thinks Cally will be back. He's obviously off his game and I have to chalk that up to his injuries. He's had shoulder surgery, a broken thumb and who knows what else. A guy like him who plays with such heart and soul, when he's off, it's glaring. He'll be back banging' bodies and creating havoc...no doubt in my mind.

 

[Cliffy1814]

Wow. I'll be that guy who says he thinks Cally will be back. He's obviously off his game and I have to chalk that up to his injuries. He's had shoulder surgery, a broken thumb and who knows what else. A guy like him who plays with such heart and soul, when he's off, it's glaring. He'll be back banging' bodies and creating havoc...no doubt in my mind.

I agree with this to an extent.
He is either injured or perhaps has made a concious decision to pace himself over an 82 game season so he has something left for April (hopefully May too)
What it highlights is how ordinary a player he is when not throwing himself around with reckless abandon.
Given his size, his age, and the wear on his body it's not unrealistic to say that we have already seen the "best" Callahan we are ever going to see.
Really tough decision with him this Summer, but I don't see how you can go beyond a three year offer ?

 

[bubba5]

He is a good player who fell into a situation where the franchise was desperate for a captain. Plus I think Torts knew how to get the most out of him.

 

[Leonardo87]

Wow. I'll be that guy who says he thinks Cally will be back. He's obviously off his game and I have to chalk that up to his injuries. He's had shoulder surgery, a broken thumb and who knows what else. A guy like him who plays with such heart and soul, when he's off, it's glaring. He'll be back banging' bodies and creating havoc...no doubt in my mind.

I totally agree!

He has been showing improvement over the last few games, Winnipeg and the Devils games to be exact. If he does not take that double minor penalty in OT and people would not be yelling for his head or trade. He had 2 Assists in that game, with 5 Hits, and a + 2 rating. If that's a bad game for him, then I don't know what else people are expecting of him.

If Callahan is traded or does not get extended, it is going to be a big empty space to fill for a guy who can not only score goals, but blocks shots, kills penalties, makes hits, attacks the net, and sets up plays as well.

People are being brutal, imo, for throwing him under the bus, He has played 20 something games, yeah up and down games, but had injuries to stop him from having a smooth sailing season, plus had no pre-season or regular training camp.

I hope, and I'm sure everyone will agree, that this thread sinks to the bottom in the next couple of weeks.