Player Discussion: Ryan Callahan

[Leonardo87]

Going to be a dramatic night tomorrow. NY Media already chirping on it.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hocke...n-stralman-return-as-former-rangers-1.9621805

Callahan, however, never got to experience the Rangers' joy and ultimate heartbreak last June. He was traded on deadline day (March 5) to the Lightning for Martin St. Louis, an exchange of captains that shocked the NHL world.


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Callahan's contract demands -- six years, $39 million, plus a full no-move clause -- proved to be the reason the Rangers sent "Captain Cally" away after seven-plus seasons.

St. Louis came in and, with his emotional lift during the playoffs, made Rangers fans forget their one-time favorite.

"I'm looking at it as another game. Obviously, it's a little more than that, but I'm going to try and get the two points and get out of there," said Callahan, who signed for six years and $34.8 million the week before free agency began. "I don't know [if I'll be cheered]. It's a fickle place there in MSG -- that's what it's all about there. It's a great crowd, great fans, and I'm excited to go back and play."

Boyle was another fan favorite for his physical style of play, something that might not endear him to Rangers fans beyond an opening introduction Monday.

"This is my team now. This is where my loyalties are," Boyle said. "It's different. It's in the past. I have fond memories, a lot of respect for the Rangers, the utmost respect -- it was a blast. I'm thankful to be here, too."


The Lightning is happy to have all three.

Boyle, who had only six goals in 82 games for the Rangers last season, has five in 17 games for Tampa Bay. Stralman is only three points (2-8-10) off his season total from 2013-14. Callahan, who had a goal and an assist in the Lightning's 5-2 win over the Islanders, has 13 points in 13 games.

 

[RDTBay4]

Per NHL.com "the Lightning have never lost when Callahan scores."

 

[Brie]

This was nice to see, and you can tell that both Cally and Morrow enjoyed spending time with the kids and being good role models for them.

[nhl]683113[/nhl]

 

[Leonardo87]

Yeah he did something similar in NY also, forgot the name of the program, go skate or something.

But yeah met the guy a few times through different programs and fundraisers, where my company donated towards, just another reason why I support the guy so much, because he is a class act, but also fun to watch playing hockey.

 

[Leonardo87]

Lundqvist on Callahan..

“I think he’s pretty excited to play these games and prove to a lot of people how good of a player he really is, so you just have to give it to him,”

 

[berlin]

This guy has impressed me a ton. I gotta admit when we signed him i thought it was way too much money and saw him not much more of an upgrade than say J.T. Brown for example. A lot of that had to do with his low numbers. He had a lot to prove and so far he's proving it.

 

[Leonardo87]

This guy has impressed me a ton. I gotta admit when we signed him i thought it was way too much money and saw him not much more of an upgrade than say J.T. Brown for example. A lot of that had to do with his low numbers. He had a lot to prove and so far he's proving it.

Cooper is playing Callahan different than AV was playing him last season. AV left Callahan off the PP for a good 20 games or so last season, and did not get top 5 on 5 mins.

He is getting top line mins, top PP time, and is off the PK. I was a little concerned that Coop is turning him into a one way forward but his 5 on 5 has been excellent on both sides of the ice. He still is hitting hard, crashing the net, making plays, scoring goals, but one thing that he is not doing as much, which I am glad, is blocking shots. Those is where he sustained most of his injuries, like blocking a Chara point shot.

Also really tired of the Ranger fans chirping he is riding on Stamkos' coattails and not giving him credit when credit is due. They have found chemistry, very good chemistry, and you can't put anyone on Stamkos line and think they will start putting up points. It is utter Bitterness.

But you know what, if a former player scored 4 goals in 2 games against my team, I would be pretty sour also.

 

[DFC]

Cooper is playing Callahan different than AV was playing him last season. AV left Callahan off the PP for a good 20 games or so last season, and did not get top 5 on 5 mins.

He is getting top line mins, top PP time, and is off the PK. I was a little concerned that Coop is turning him into a one way forward but his 5 on 5 has been excellent on both sides of the ice. He still is hitting hard, crashing the net, making plays, scoring goals, but one thing that he is not doing as much, which I am glad, is blocking shots. Those is where he sustained most of his injuries, like blocking a Chara point shot.

Also really tired of the Ranger fans chirping he is riding on Stamkos' coattails and not giving him credit when credit is due. They have found chemistry, very good chemistry, and you can't put anyone on Stamkos line and think they will start putting up points. It is utter Bitterness.

But you know what, if a former player scored 4 goals in 2 games against my team, I would be pretty sour also.

You should probably not read Ranger fans' opinions.

Callahan's off to a pretty incredible start. He actually looks like the overall better player between himself and MSL right now.

 

[2020 Cup Champions]

You should probably not read Ranger fans' opinions.

Callahan's off to a pretty incredible start. He actually looks like the overall better player between himself and MSL right now.

It's true, you know. Just like Palat was a product of Couturier and then MSL, Stamkos was a product of MSL, MSL was a product of Stamkos, ....

 

[Mikeaveli]

It's true, you know. Just like Palat was a product of Couturier and then MSL, Stamkos was a product of MSL, MSL was a product of Stamkos, ....

Drouin was a product of MacKinnon, Drouin was a product of Darcy Ashley, Drouin is a product of Namestnikov...

It's all true.

 

[The Macho King]

Cooper is playing Callahan different than AV was playing him last season. AV left Callahan off the PP for a good 20 games or so last season, and did not get top 5 on 5 mins.

He is getting top line mins, top PP time, and is off the PK. I was a little concerned that Coop is turning him into a one way forward but his 5 on 5 has been excellent on both sides of the ice. He still is hitting hard, crashing the net, making plays, scoring goals, but one thing that he is not doing as much, which I am glad, is blocking shots. Those is where he sustained most of his injuries, like blocking a Chara point shot.

Also really tired of the Ranger fans chirping he is riding on Stamkos' coattails and not giving him credit when credit is due. They have found chemistry, very good chemistry, and you can't put anyone on Stamkos line and think they will start putting up points. It is utter Bitterness.

But you know what, if a former player scored 4 goals in 2 games against my team, I would be pretty sour also.

Just roll your eyes and move on.

The funny thing is how holier than thou they are when it came to our reactions to MSL, but half of them are talking about how much they hate Callahan right now because... he's doing well? WTF is that?

 

[2020 Cup Champions]

[nhl]681295[/nhl]

 

[Leonardo87]

Just roll your eyes and move on.

The funny thing is how holier than thou they are when it came to our reactions to MSL, but half of them are talking about how much they hate Callahan right now because... he's doing well? WTF is that?

I said once these games are done will move on, it's catching brushfire now in the NY media, so can't escape it, but it honestly feels good. I just have to vent a little since I cannot debate in the other forum. I would not even call it venting, more like expressing my mind boggling mind from what I have been reading, and WTF is the exact response I got. lol.

I am beyond happy that this team is doing well, and that Callahan has been a major reason for that.

 

[Brie]

Here is the video of Lundquist saying that, I like that his old friends and teammates still call him Cally:

[nhl]683984[/nhl]

I also have to say that it's awesome to hear a great goalie like him say how hard our 1st line is to play against.

 

[BobbyTheChiefTaylor]

Boy I'll tell ya what Callahan must be making his coach proud. Just look at the energy he brings to the team. He's really galloping the deer here in Tampa and the Lightning is very hopeful for his coming years.

 

[Mikeaveli]

Boy I'll tell ya what Callahan must be making his coach proud. Just look at the energy he brings to the team. He's really galloping the deer here in Tampa and the Lightning is very hopeful for his coming years.

Yeah, he's really galloping the deer, that's for sure. Dog's blowing him too

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

I also have to say that it's awesome to hear a great goalie like him say how hard our 1st line is to play against.

On the MSG feed yesterday they said they asked Bishop why he plays so well against the Rangers and his answer was because he looks and sees Lundqvist at the other end of the rink.

 

[The Macho King]

On the MSG feed yesterday they said they asked Bishop why he plays so well against the Rangers and his answer was because he looks and sees Lundqvist at the other end of the rink.

That sexy ******* would make me want to be at my best too.

Seriously though, nice compliment to make. Also, there are times in interviews with Bishop I can almost feel the happiness coming off of him. Spending so long as a back-up/in the minors, and then you finally get the chance to be a #1 and you take it and run. That's gotta be intoxicating.

And think, it's happened quickly. Two seasons ago at this point (well, lockout season but you get me), he was the #3 goaltender in an organization. Today he's the #1 and a Vezina finalist. It's hard not to feel great for a guy like that.

 

[2020 Cup Champions]

That sexy ******* would make me want to be at my best too.

Seriously though, nice compliment to make. Also, there are times in interviews with Bishop I can almost feel the happiness coming off of him. Spending so long as a back-up/in the minors, and then you finally get the chance to be a #1 and you take it and run. That's gotta be intoxicating.

And think, it's happened quickly. Two seasons ago at this point (well, lockout season but you get me), he was the #3 goaltender in an organization. Today he's the #1 and a Vezina finalist. It's hard not to feel great for a guy like that.

Moreso that plenty of people get the chance and don't live up to it. He has more than lived up.

 

[Harry99]

Just roll your eyes and move on.

The funny thing is how holier than thou they are when it came to our reactions to MSL, but half of them are talking about how much they hate Callahan right now because... he's doing well? WTF is that?

As a Rangers fan, I can say I've been disgusted by how fans turned on him. He has been one of my favorite players - he will do anything for the team. He makes any team better. His skill is underrated too. Idiot fans were saying he isn't even a top 6 forward last year. Well, he is on the top line averaging a point a game. He plays two-way hockey. He plays the game the right way. Damn I miss him. MSL isn't close to the complete player Callahan is, at least at this point of their careers.

 

[Harry99]

The more he plays the more I love him, another two points tonight. What a steal Yzerman committed.

Couldn't agree more. He got the better player and draft picks. He should be in prison for grand theft.

 

[The Macho King]

As a Rangers fan, I can say I've been disgusted by how fans turned on him. He has been one of my favorite players - he will do anything for the team. He makes any team better. His skill is underrated too. Idiot fans were saying he isn't even a top 6 forward last year. Well, he is on the top line averaging a point a game. He plays two-way hockey. He plays the game the right way. Damn I miss him. MSL isn't close to the complete player Callahan is, at least at this point of their careers.

I've watched quite a few Rangers games and think MSL has fit in pretty well. He looks like pretty much the same player, both the good and the bad. He's not a two-way guy, but I do think he brings a level of playmaking you all don't really have elsewhere in your line up.

Still, I love the trade. Cally is just a guy we haven't had since... ****, ever?

 

[Sky04]

As a Rangers fan, I can say I've been disgusted by how fans turned on him. He has been one of my favorite players - he will do anything for the team. He makes any team better. His skill is underrated too. Idiot fans were saying he isn't even a top 6 forward last year. Well, he is on the top line averaging a point a game. He plays two-way hockey. He plays the game the right way. Damn I miss him. MSL isn't close to the complete player Callahan is, at least at this point of their careers.

Rangers fans have said it for years how underrated the rest of his game is, can now say for myself how true this is, diving shot blocks, warrior down low and just a guy everyone should have in their lineup, his offense is an expected surprise, Stamkos doesn't gel with a lot of players.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

The Stamkos - Callahan connection continues to do well. It's nice to see Stamkos showoff some passing ability and Cally keeps finishing them off.

 

[Leonardo87]

As a Rangers fan, I can say I've been disgusted by how fans turned on him. He has been one of my favorite players - he will do anything for the team. He makes any team better. His skill is underrated too. Idiot fans were saying he isn't even a top 6 forward last year. Well, he is on the top line averaging a point a game. He plays two-way hockey. He plays the game the right way. Damn I miss him. MSL isn't close to the complete player Callahan is, at least at this point of their careers.

If a Ranger fan is not going to give credit where credit is due to Callahan, they are just bitter and sucking on sour grapes. Not sure why they need to keep up with the bitterness, they have MSL who has been excellent this season for them.

The Stamkos - Callahan connection continues to do well. It's nice to see Stamkos showoff some passing ability and Cally keeps finishing them off.

That line has two guys who can score goals, and Stamkos has become this decoy leaving Callahan wide open. Even if the league catches on to that, you still have to cover two guys, and then there is Killorn who can be a threat also.