JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK
Twenty f*ckin years
- Oct 8, 2010
- 80,069
- 17,709
Fair point, but I still think Callahan's play in the playoffs have been underwhelming overall compared to Brown, who always impresses me when the game is tight. Well, aside from the Olympics when he kneed that player like an idiot.
Eh. His dip in numbers can be explained, but I still think his overall game has declined. He can still be disruptive on the forecheck, but not to the extent that he has been in the past.
Nash also has 19 goals to Callahan's 11. Both have missed time with injuries, although Nash's was more serious. That's a fair point to bring up, but Nash is a 35-40 goal first liner, and is the better ES player production-wise. I do think Callahan's production would be up with more PP time, but we've had a bunch of other players step up and challenge his spot when he went down.
Missing significant time isn't the only barometer for gauging injuries. Playing with the torn labrum last year is worthy of bringing up, mainly because I think that decision will haunt him for years to come. And he played 75+ games in 10-11, only to break his ankle blocking a Chara slapshot right before the playoffs started.
It really all adds up, IMO. These injuries make his body more fragile in the long run, I'd say.
As I said prior, I think there were signs of decline in Callahan's game last season, not just this season. Seriously, playing with that injury could potentially alter the rest of his career for the worst.
Your point regarding Selanne is fair, but, as you said yourself, Callahan isn't Selanne. Callahan is more comparable to a Graves, Drury, Peca type player, players who were all-out heart and soul players in their prime, a prime that was short lived.
Well, I'd say that:
- Injuries
- Lack of PP time
- Zuccarello
Are the biggest reasons why his numbers have dropped off this year. Zuccarello having the year he is having is what has put him on the block as well, IMO (along with his upcoming UFA status).
Zuccarello will be here for the long haul, IMO. He's a special little player, and there is more upside there.
I've been an advocate of looking to move Callahan since the summer, although I wasn't as vocal since it would have been considered extremely controversial at the time.
With this move, I am more thinking about the future than anything, because IMO, he will either plateau or decline from this point on. Quite frankly, I'd rather lose him for nothing as a free agent than sign him to the contract his is asking for. I could swallow 6x6, but I would NOT be happy with it, although, if he proved me wrong, I would happily eat crow.
I think where we most disagree is what we each think Callahan will be in the upcoming seasons. Personally, I think his numbers will continue to drop or at worst plateau, while becoming less effective physically. Do you really blame me for thinking that, with the way he has played this year, and the decline of similar players in the past?
I mean, I guess this is a fair line of thinking, as I wasn't around for the dark days, but I just dislike the idea of paying for the past in a sport like hockey. If Callahan were a durable player, I'd give him the 6x6 easily. And Sather is giving it to him now! That contract is more than fair. There is really no one to blame here but Callahan for being unreasonable; and Sather isn't the only one who thinks that, it seems. Doesn't seem like many teams are interested in acquiring Callahan because they don't want to give in to his contract demands, and they don't want to just have him a rental.
We will see what happens. My stance is clear. If Callahan continues to be what he was from 08-09 to 11-12 post new contract, I will gladly eat some crow, regardless of the team he is playing on.
