Rumor: Trade Thread XVI: Callahan looking for $6.85M+ AAV?

[Raspewtin]

Guys, it's worth mentioning that Stewart is a UFA in 1 year. I don't want to trade Callahan due to FA for another winger who will be in the same situation after next season. Not smart at all, IMO.

Don't think it's that much of a drawback.

If Stewart is not playing the way we want, or he doesn't fit, flip him for a 1st at next year's deadline.

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

I love Chris Stewart, but he's just way too inconsistent and streaky (might be the most streaky player in the league). When he's on, he's a little better version of Lucic. When he's off, he's really off.

 

[Bardof425*]

I'm trying to figure out if this is your opinion or an actual fact.

In my opinion they are not, and even if they were, in my opinion, you would still trade Callahan in this situation. It would simply change the return you would optimally want from a package including Callahan, in my opinion.

It's a long season and sometimes teams look like they can win it all and at other times no so much; even the Bruins and the Hawks. So, right now with the way Hank is playing and the way Nash and Staal are playing we are good enough. We have good secondary scoring, a top line that can scare you and produce; and two shut down pairs. In addition our third pair is one of the best in the league and our PP and PK are pretty good.

We are not as tough as I would like and we will need either Brass or Richie to really step up in the playoffs, but it's conceivable and so we should not be dumping Cally or Danny G for prospects. In fact, Girardi's demands are reasonable and he should be signed. Cally, unfortunately seems to be buying the hype and forgetting how great it is to play here. If he stays on his demands he should be traded for a player that will help us this year. I will hate to see him go, but I will blame him cause he should know what we know and that is he is not a $7 million player even if some stupid team is going to give him that money.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Better to just prepare yourselves for the likelihood that Callahan won't bring a massive return that many people will be happy about.

In the end, an acquiring team will be asked to pony up assets for a guy that will be a rental and is looking for a ton of money and a ton of years. Time to reassess when thinking about equal value here.

 

[Infinitum Vitae*]

I think Stewart would help us in the playoffs.... my opinion...I want the guy and a prospect and I would be happy

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Better to just prepare yourselves for the likelihood that Callahan won't bring a massive return that many people will be happy about.

In the end, an acquiring team will be asked to pony up assets for a guy that will be a rental and is looking for a ton of money and a ton of years. Time to reassess when thinking about equal value here.

Agreed. Stewart and a 2nd might be the most realistic option.

And it is the type of deal I could see Sather making, as it addresses the "don't throw in the towel on the season" crowd.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Agreed. Stewart and a 2nd might be the most realistic option.

And it is the type of deal I could see Sather making, as it addresses the "don't throw in the towel on the season" crowd.

Yup. For all his warts, I think thats the best type of roster player we could possibly expect coming back.

 

[broadwayblue]

The way to find out is to ride this team into the playoffs. Let next year sort it self out next year. You can always juggle the cap and the players then, you've got the whole offseason to do it. Doesn't it take something out of you as a fan when they say, "Let's forget about winning now?" This team has a shot, okay? I understand the skepticism. Maybe this is only a hot streak. But they're good enough so you don't really know where that ceiling is.

As to Hockey is a business, Callahan is guilty too. All this playoff hype where they are growing beards and looking beat up and the rhetoric about "going to war" - I guess that being a fan and buying into it by caring what happens makes you a bit of chump. Still - even though I'm not even primarily a Rangers fan - I grew up with this team and want them to win and think they're the best they've been in years. Certainly than any time in Torts era.

Pouliot has been a big surprise, what?

You don't ride a team into the playoffs risking the loss of several valuable pieces for nothing unless you have confidence your team is a legit contender. This team is good, but not great. Can they win two rounds? Possibly. Can they win 4? Unlikely.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

The way to find out is to ride this team into the playoffs. Let next year sort it self out next year. You can always juggle the cap and the players then, you've got the whole offseason to do it. Doesn't it take something out of you as a fan when they say, "Let's forget about winning now?" This team has a shot, okay? I understand the skepticism. Maybe this is only a hot streak. But they're good enough so you don't really know where that ceiling is.

As to Hockey is a business, Callahan is guilty too. All this playoff hype where they are growing beards and looking beat up and the rhetoric about "going to war" - I guess that being a fan and buying into it by caring what happens makes you a bit of chump. Still - even though I'm not even primarily a Rangers fan - I grew up with this team and want them to win and think they're the best they've been in years. Certainly than any time in Torts era.

Pouliot has been a big surprise, what?

Ignoring the Callahan situation because "this team has a shot" is stupid, short sighted, ignorant, and effectively hitching your wagon to the prospect of a miracle playoff run. In other words, it'd be standard operating procedure for the NY Rangers. Hows that worked out for the past 75 years?

Letting things sort themselves out in the offseason very likely equates to no cup (again) and either caving to Callahan's massive demands being he'll have a chance for the market to drive the price up, or having him walk away for nothing.

Everything Sather has done in this situation so far suggests he won't let the next few months and another half-assed playoff run dictate an important long-term issue for this team. Its refreshing, for now.

 

[Ola]

BTW, since we're debating whether we're contenders in the east and I think that we're definitely behind Pitt and Boston, probably TB too (especially with Stamkos), but since our 3-7 start we've had the 2nd best record in the east. And that includes that BRUTAL stretch in December where we were playing what I'd say is uncharacteristic hockey if you look at the season as a whole. Imagine if were .500 in that stretch. Man it really killed us, that stretch at home against mediocre teams that we butchered is the reason we're in a dog fight now.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/rangers-keep-rolling-after-slow-start-to-season/

Yeah, this is the new NHL and its easy to overlook.

We are not good, but neither is many other teams. And of the teams that are better than us, more than anything else they just do the right things while we are still struggling to adjust. Outside like the top 4 in Chicago, there is just not one single player that is "that" elite, and only really 2 players who are special really. Sharpe and Hossa.

 

[Infinitum Vitae*]

You don't ride a team into the playoffs risking the loss of several valuable pieces for nothing unless you have confidence your team is a legit contender. This team is good, but not great. Can they win two rounds? Possibly. Can they win 4? Unlikely.

If our D stays healthy and hank is hank... and IF we get the offense from Nash like we are now...we could have a chance to up set some people

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Yeah, this is the new NHL and its easy to overlook.

We are not good, but neither is many other teams. And of the teams that are better than us, more than anything else they just do the right things while we are still struggling to adjust. Outside like the top 4 in Chicago, there is just not one single player that is "that" elite, and only really 2 players who are special really. Sharpe and Hossa.

I think you mean not great. I think we're pretty good, not great, at least as it stands now.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

Ignoring the Callahan situation because "this team has a shot" is stupid, short sighted, ignorant, and effectively hitching your wagon to the prospect of a miracle playoff run. In other words, it'd be standard operating procedure for the NY Rangers. Hows that worked out for the past 75 years?

Letting things sort themselves out in the offseason very likely equates to no cup (again) and either caving to Callahan's massive demands being he'll have a chance for the market to drive the price up, or having him walk away for nothing.

Everything Sather has done in this situation so far suggests he won't let the next few months and another half-assed playoff run dictate an important long-term issue for this team. Its refreshing, for now.

Stewart's contract expires after next season (14-15), what then? 12 months isn't much foresight.

 

[silverfish]

Buffalo News:

Sabres Haven't Inquired About a Potential Sign-And-Trade for Callahan

Multiple reports say New York has given teams permission to talk with Callahan's agent about a sign-and-trade deal for the pending unrestricted free agent. The Sabres have not inquired about Callahan, a source with knowledge of the situation tells The Buffalo News.

I still think if Callahan hits the market in July, he's going home. (to the Sabres, not the Amerks )

 

[Trxjw]

Stewart is a good player who has gotten a bad reputation on a team that is loaded with "work ethic" players. He's been very productive over his career, and can be one of the better net-front presences in the league on the PP. He's signed for another season and could either be re-signed if he finds success here, or we could deal him to create room for a prospect should a guy like Kristo or Fast demonstrate that they're ready for the NHL. Stewart and Edmonton's 2nd would be a solid return for a player that the Blues had no intention of re-signing.

Letting teams negotiate with Callahan's agent beforehand is no guarantee that a team will want to make the deal. I still have a gut feeling that he'll go to Buffalo in the summer.

 

[BarbaraAlphanse]

Better to just prepare yourselves for the likelihood that Callahan won't bring a massive return that many people will be happy about.

In the end, an acquiring team will be asked to pony up assets for a guy that will be a rental and is looking for a ton of money and a ton of years. Time to reassess when thinking about equal value here.

Again, I don't know what gives you the impression he's being traded as a UFA when it's more than likely that a trading team will require an extension.

But I guess the key to happiness is lowering the bar, right? Unhappy? Lower your expectations completely, and you'll be happy.

I guess that's the mindset everyone is using for this trade.

Also - Stewart + second for Cally is pretty bad. Trade our most consistent player in terms of motor and work ethic and leading by example for an inconsistent malcontent who is not only buried on the 3rd line of a team that is in a similar position to our team, but has also worn his welcome with his fans. And also get a 2nd which might as well be a 3rd with how late they'll be picking in it.

Oh and also did I mention that trading our captain symbolizes throwing in the towel to a season that has actually started to look very promising?

You know what, this would definitely be the conservative and safe move. We would throw in the towel, put Stewart on our 3rd line, draft the safe pick with our newly acquired 2nd round pick... And well be much further from the cup than we are now.

Maybe I don't operate like you. But I'm the fan of a team that I have no financial stake in, that my life or job doesn't depend on their success. Watching them gives me a catharsis from work and studies and other trivial day-to-day problems I may want to distract myself from. In the end I want a team I've grown to like, a team that gives me excitement watching. Over the last 5 years, Cally and his mindset full of "unquantifiable intangibles" has given me excitement and even happiness when watching him and his team play. I understand that this is a business and that his demands are unacceptable for this team moving forward. But for a player that is so important to this team, for a player that embodies not only what this team has become but the ethos of a city where hard work and then some is necessary to be successful, for a player that had single handedly (on many nights) given me 2-3 hours of pure and unabated joy to watch... Trading him for the "safe" and conservative package will not fly. **** Chris Stewart and **** the St. Louis 2nd round pick. If Callahan is to be traded it better be for a package that can deliver the same excitement in the future. Otherwise, compromising the team's success this year, compromising the excitement around the team for the rest of the season for MANY fans, is not worth this sucky and conservative return just for the point of saving face.

 

[broadwayblue]

If our D stays healthy and hank is hank... and IF we get the offense from Nash like we are now...we could have a chance to up set some people

Sure, but any team could upset some people if things go right. From what you've seen and know thus far, do you see us beating the Pens AND Bruins AND say the Ducks or Blues in best of 7s?

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

I'll take this as a compliment - but understand that I DO care. I'm suddenly watching this team with interest and even enthusiasm. And the thing is I think this is the best Rangers team I've seen in at least ten years. They're different right now than they've been. No longer collapsing around Lundquist, falling on the ice and letting the puck hit them, then just bumping and grinding in the other end.

Instead fast, creative, balanced, skilled, built from the goalie out and yet still loaded up front, scoring off the rush, fast to transition from defense to offense. I spend a lot of time in the North of New England where TV is the Bruins and here in NYC where you watch all three teams and from my admittedly subjective point of view (which is all anyone has) I think the Bruins and Rangers are pretty much even at the moment. At the moment, repeat that. Is this just a hot streak? Only one way to see.

But the person who said that if you only deal Callahan you're not bailing on the season is right too. But . . . historically he's been important to the team. In other years, for other editions of this team, when he's been hurt the Blueshirts have struggled.

Just imagine how enthusiastic and a big fan you'll be when they hoist a cup. Always plenty of room on the bandwagon. Don't disagree on reasons to like this latest addition of the club.

 

[Hire Sather]

Sure, but any team could upset some people if things go right. From what you've seen and know thus far, do you see us beating the Pens AND Bruins AND say the Ducks or Blues in best of 7s?

If we beat one of them, its a worthy season.. that would mean hopefully 2 playoff series wins.

Enjoyable season for me.

 

[broadwayblue]

If we beat one of them, its a worthy season.. that would mean hopefully 2 playoff series wins.

Enjoyable season for me.

Been there done that. If I can improve the team for years going forward I gladly trade a series win for that. The goal is to win a championship, not upset a higher ranked team en route to another playoff exit. Nobody remembers the teams that had one or two good series.

 

[Cassano]

Stewart gets flak because he might be their worst top 9 player. But that speaks volume about the Blues roster to begin with.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

Hey if callahan brings in a 1st line center prospect (a legitamate one) I'llk be happy. Highly tought of guys like Schenn don't always match the billing but this team certainly has no shot at a top line center right now via the pipeline or FA and I think it's th team's biggest flaw right now and going forward. They can survive without Callahan and even thrive without him (although he helps them thrive more of course). But he's going to be losing his physical abilities within the first few years of a deal and if it's a 7 year deal...oh boy

 

[The Gloaming]

Been there done that. If I can improve the team for years going forward I gladly trade a series win for that. The goal is to win a championship, not upset a higher ranked team en route to another playoff exit. Nobody remembers the teams that had one or two good series.

This. Who really cares about the 2010 Montreal canadiens? Sure their run was nice, but they lost in the ECF and no1curr.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

I think we're really undervaluing Callahan if we don't think he'll get a top-six roster plaer, top-six prospect and a 1st... clearly not CGY or EDM or BUF's 1st. I saw someone get shut down with the idea of Cogliano, Etem and a 2nd, which, to me, is very plausible. You guys are forgetting how trades work--it doesn't matter if a guy is an impending UFA. You're crazy? If I'm a contender, i have tunnel vision, and if I want a guy that I think will get me there, I'll spend a lot on him. Then consider that Anaheim, like most other teams, has no Callahan. Then consider that Cogliano is only now a difference maker, and probably not even a big one for them. Perreault is just as good.

The value of Callahan is that he'll do everything you want your whole bottom-6 to do, while scoring at a 2nd line pace. That's as hard to find as a Backes or Getzlaf, it is. Now, with the direction the organization has said we need to move in, Callahan doesn't have as much value to US. he doesn't factor in to that direction, but team's WILL see value in him, and if you settle for **** like Ott, Foligno and a 2nd, you get what you deserve.

From STL, I want Stewart, Jenner and a 1st.

 

[gary laser eyes]

Buffalo News:

Sabres Haven't Inquired About a Potential Sign-And-Trade for Callahan



I still think if Callahan hits the market in July, he's going home. (to the Sabres, not the Amerks )

There is 0 reason for the Sabres to give up assets for Callahan right now. They can just politely wait until July 1st, and if he's available they can go after him.

Right now Callahan would only be attractive to a team looking to make a Stanley Cup run and needing that final piece. Or a team that knows they can sign him right away.