Callahan is our capain and I appreciate everything he has done, but we need to consider whether or not he is worth 6 years at 6 million.
Lets look at our right wings. We have Nash, Zuccarello, Callahan. Only 2 of those guys can play in the top 6.
Evaluation: Nash is here to stay, no matter how poorly he plays. NYR need him to be a 30+ goal guy. Zuccarello is our present leading scorer, on the uprise and is still in for an RFA contract that should see him paid at an acceptable level. Callahan is a great special teams player, but will be 30 next season and has a long history of injuries.
Decision- Loosing Callahan saves us 5-6.5 million on the cap for a player who probably wouldn't be in the top 6 with out current assortment. Maybe we deal Nash and keep Cally, but I'm not sure thats a preferable option, nor is moving one of them to the left wing.
Center- Richards is playing at about the best level he can at this stage in his career. Losing him will hurt a bit but, like with the right wings, we have two centers in Stepan and Brassard that are there to fill the top 6.
Evaluation- Each center has their own strengths and weaknesses. But if you look at the stat sheet their offensive production is very similar this year. Richards has a boost because of PP time, but Brassard has been linking nicely with Zucc on the PP.
Decision- Stepan as a first line center takes care of the defensive side of the game. Brassard at second line requires less defense, and he has the skill for it. Miller and Lindberg (Or Miller and rent-a-forth can fill in the bottom 6. Goodbye Richards.
Left Wing- Kreider's energence has shored up this position.
Evaluation- Hagelin is a 2nd-third line tweener, but playing him on the 2nd is the least of our concerns. I wouldn't count on Pouliot playing like this consistently, but if he does he'll be back. The Rangers need Kreider to keep playing like this, and there is no indication that he can't. Left wing is a weaker position in the NHL, so having your gunners there is good allocation.
Decision- NYR could look to add a scoring left wing to push Hagelin to the third line. Matt Moulson, Cammalleri, Greg Carey are options.
Defense- Everyone's most concerned position. Until we got Stralman it was pretty much Girardi and no one at right defense.
Evaluation- I think Girardi has been back to average this year. He had a few great seasons. He could get us a great return (Oilers, anybody?) in a deal. The question becomes who fills his spot. I think Del Zotto could be moved for a similar right sided defenseman, but a right sided Del Zotto isn't as good or as steady as Girardi.
Decision- If we deal Girardi, we can sign a very solid defensive defenseman on the right side who is less of a household name. Matt Greene can play the right side.
Of all of this, if Girardi agrees to reasonable terms, we should keep him. Callahan has become almost redundant and should be considered for a trade to Buffalo, possibly for Moulson and a good prospect/pick.
perfectly said.
