Rumor: Trade Thread XVII: Callahan's Reckoning.

[Bardof425*]

"Sather isn’t low-balling or hard-balling Callahan here with what is believed a five-year offer worth $30 million. No one is being disrespected or insulted. Lord knows, no one has suggested that is the case, and most certainly not Callahan." (Brooks)

Yes, to offer a 28/29 y/o -- who you are asking to take a hometown discount -- a five year deal when the player want 7 is a low-ball offer.

Clarkson and Clowe signed their deals when the cap was 63m. The cap will go up 10+ percent. Clarkson is signed at 5.25 for 7 years, ten percent on that is 5.8m. That is what we are offering Cally for 5 years, and Cally is a year younger than Clarkson who got 7...

Also, we know what Cally is asking for. It's a lot. We are not close to it. I would be suprised if Cally didn't move if Slats loosened the hand break on the term.

I think it's widely accepted that these are the two worst contracts from last summer and maybe in years. It really shouldn't matter what Clarkson and Clowe got cause as we know two wrongs don't make a right.

 

[Doctyl]

Never have thought of Brassard as a dominant player. Never will either.

when he hits a hot streak he is amazing. he is capable of carrying a full line when hes hot. hes incredibly inconsistent and thats whats frustrating about him, but when hes hot i think hes our best forward aside from Nash.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Brassard's cap hit is 3.2 now. What makes you so sure he'd sign for 4 million, that you'd start posting wise crack comments?

What are other #2 centers in the league earning? Does he have arbitration rights? Why wouldn't his side be asking 5+ million? Tyler Bozak 4+ under the old CBA. Brassard could easily command 5+, especially knowing he will be the Rangers "only option at #2".

There is an awful lot of contradiction going on.

It's not ok to suggest trading Derick Brassard, but it is to suggest trading Dan Girardi, when there is no replacement for the 20 minutes he provides against top competition.

Same arguments were being made as to why they should pay and keep Cullen. Because Dubinsky "wasn't ready".

I have been one of the bigger proponents of keeping Girardi. I am not okay with paying him 6+ million for 6+ years. If that is the case than yes, trade him. Why? We can slot Klein into the top pairing role for now. Make sure you have your ducks in a row before saying things like that.

Brassard will get 4 - 4.5. Arb eligible or not I think many will agree with me that Brassard would get at most around 4.5. I am alright with that to be honest.

I am not ok with trading him mid season and throwing a rookie in the 2C hole and playing against the elite competition when he may not even be ready. You want him starting in the bottom 6 on the third line. Easing his way into the NHL.

 

[Vickers8]

Andrew Gross‏@AGrossRecord·
And Callahan got the Broadway hat, too. "You hear [the cheers]. It's part of playing in New York. That's why you love it here...."

Andrew Gross‏@AGrossRecord·
More Callahan: "...The fans are great. It's part of the mystique of the Garden. It's something that I love."


Andrew Gross‏@AGrossRecord·
Cally adds 60 minutes on ice for a game is the easiest part right now. "That’s’ where I want to be, on the ice playing for the Rangers"

 

[Gardner McKay]

Colorado is not a team that is going to make a deep run to the playoffs. They're a rebuilding team that has drastically overachieved. Their defense is a joke. They also played the night before after flying two thirds of the way across the country.

One game doesn't mean you're better than the other team, or even at the same level. There's a reason that the best teams almost always make it to the cup finals. A 7 game series weeds out the outliers. Winnipeg spanked Anaheim the other night. Are they suddenly a playoff team? No, of course not. I can appreciate the streak this team is on, but Lundqvist is absolutely on fire, and the team is getting a **** ton of fortunate and downright lucky bounces in their favor as well.

Hell, even on this hot streak, look at the results against teams who are actually legitimate playoff contenders. We've been beating up on lesser teams.

I agree. We lost a close game to St. Louis. Other than the horrific start to the season makes you think we are so mis matched?

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

Pouliot and Pyatt have size but use their size.. Nash, rarely throws his body. having size does not mean much if you dont use it to your advantage. not only being physical but using the size down low and in front of the net for a big guy Nash rarely screens the goalie.... Rangers need guys like Lucic, Horton, Hartnell, Benn, Chiasson, Backes. its not hard to find guys like these, Rangers just think a big guy is gonna overpower someone because they have size : Poti, Malakhov, Boyle, Malik, Pyatt. all big guys that rarely play aggressive...

How many teams have more than one of those players? The Rangers have a developing one in Kreider. You don't need to throw your body around like a bull in order for size to make a difference. Reach, strength to win board battles, making space around the net. You don't need to be Lucic to do that.

 

[TheTakedown]

Overpaying Brassard? The debate is for Callahan because he wants a laughable amount of money (nearly 7 million). I don't want a cheap stopgap. I want the better #2 center playing there. Trading Brassard because he is going to want a few million is an NHL 14 mentality. If you can sign Brassard for 4 million for a few years you absolutely do it. Trading him and throwing Miller in on the second line would almost be as bad as not trading Callahan in hopes you win the cup this year. It is a gamble that more likely than not, won't pay off.

Brassard shouldn't even be part of this conversation... the guy is going to get his QO, and will probably negotiate for $4M... worst case he goes to arbitration for a total of $4.2M for 2-4 years... book it...

He's not the problem. He's an average centerman, playing on our 3rd line, racking up a ton of assists and making things happen... That's enough to re-sign him, period.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Andrew Gross‏@AGrossRecord·
And Callahan got the Broadway hat, too. "You hear [the cheers]. It's part of playing in New York. That's why you love it here...."

Andrew Gross‏@AGrossRecord·
More Callahan: "...The fans are great. It's part of the mystique of the Garden. It's something that I love."


Andrew Gross‏@AGrossRecord·
Cally adds 60 minutes on ice for a game is the easiest part right now. "That’s’ where I want to be, on the ice playing for the Rangers"

Could have done without the last one.

...because, truth be told, he wants to be massively overpaid to do it.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Brassard shouldn't even be part of this conversation... the guy is going to get his QO, and will probably negotiate for $4M... worst case he goes to arbitration for a total of $4.2M for 2-4 years... book it...

He's not the problem. He's an average centerman, playing on our 3rd line, racking up a ton of assists and making things happen... That's enough to re-sign him, period.

When you have people who want to trade him and make a rookie who has dominated the AHL but looked lost in the NHL our 2C... is where it becomes a part of the conversation. To me it is a no brainer to resign the BrassGod.

 

[Bardof425*]

If the other piece isn't a top prospect that is NHL ready, its a loss. Again, Stewart's contract expires summer 2015. 4.15 cap hit. What's his next contract going to look like? We surely won't be paying for it, right? And what team will take him for fair value at the deadline one year from now?

These are legitimate concerns.

If Stewart and a piece are all Sather can muster from this cluster **** of a situation he manifested, heneeds to be fired on the spot.

BRB and others, including myself, are asking for long term vision from this club. Stewart and a pice is not long term vision. Its putting some gauze and neosporin on a severed limb.

Sather has no ability to think beyond two inches in front of his face.

If Stewart is GREAT for this club, we have to overpay to keep him. If he bombs, we lost Callahan for a year of a bust. This is the situation Sather created.

Has he called all 29 other GMs? Or does he just look at a name he recognizes?

A GM has to be compliant, but a package like: Austin Watson, Zach Budish, and David Legwand for Callahan, Lindberg, and Kristo makes infinitely more sense.

Salary swaps, and swaps of talented prospects that fit different organizational needs for both parties. We get bigger on the wing, we get our leader and two way center. They get more offensive skill in their system.

Then you look for an offensive defenseman in exchange for Girardi if you can't sign him. Detroit's Ryan Sproul and Riley Sheahan. Reach and skill.

Colorado may be losing Stastny in the summer, would Brassard entice them enough to trade McGinn and Barrie for Brassard and McIlrath?

Is Stralman returning? Is Boyle? Detroit needs a center and a bottom pairing defenseman. Would they give up Jeremy Morin? Adam Clendening?

Those are long term moves.

Chris Stewart and a piece, isn't a long term move. We will be sitting here, one year from now, discussing what to do with Stewart.

Makes sense for Nashville; not for the NYR. News Flash: The Rangers are starting to look like they have few weaknesses and due to our superior D and goaltending have to be considered contenders in the East. Too much negativity in this post.

Regarding the Brassard deal; again great for Colorado. McGinn is not a difference maker and Barrie has no interest in playing defense. He's the next Brent Burns except not nearly as good. Long terrm vision is important but with the roster we have and the way we're playing, we cannot forfeit this year for next. Not now. We need help at center. Everywhere else we are plenty good.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

On the SJ comparable, I personally think Fast and Miller are ready right now to be our 3rd best RWs. They aren't PUSHING per se, but they're ready to step in.

On Ola's point that "7-year deals are the going rate for your best players these days," I agree - about your best players. Despite being the captain, a fan favorite and a team leader, CALLAHAN IS NOT ONE OF OUR BEST PLAYERS. The fact that Callahan came up through the system, epitomized hard work and helped turn the organizational culture around does NOT make him an equivalent to a Getzlaf or a Perry. We DID give our one home-grown elite player one of those deals - Hank just signed it a month or so ago, remember? If and when we have a true first line forward, and not a hard-working guy who's the 3rd best RW on the team, that is in a similar situation, I promise you that he too will get close to a max deal. But you DON'T give 7x7 to "intangibles" guys. Clarkson and Brown are making MILLIONS less and they're already looking like bad deals.

And as to the question of the message that it sends to other players that come up through the system: what kind of precedent does it set if you DO give him this ridiculous deal? If we drafted you, we'll be terrified of lockeroom backlash if we don't cave so 7-year deals for everyone who isn't a 4th liner/6th defenseman? Craziness. We paid Hank; Cally we offered a very good deal (which frankly was too much and I didn't like), but will be traded if he wants much more than he's worth. You will be dealt with according to your worth, as should be the case. THAT is the message.

Move him. It's in the best long-term interest of the team. And I frankly don't think it hurts that much this year - outside of last night, he hasn't been nearly as important as half the other guys on the team to the team's success.

Best post of the thread.

Thanks, man. I worked hard on it. (And yes, I took this opportunity to blatantly bump my own post, because it fell at the end of a page. We all have our egos.)

 

[Ail]

Andrew Gross‏@AGrossRecord·
And Callahan got the Broadway hat, too. "You hear [the cheers]. It's part of playing in New York. That's why you love it here...."

Andrew Gross‏@AGrossRecord·
More Callahan: "...The fans are great. It's part of the mystique of the Garden. It's something that I love."


Andrew Gross‏@AGrossRecord·
Cally adds 60 minutes on ice for a game is the easiest part right now. "That’s’ where I want to be, on the ice playing for the Rangers"

Can't read much in to any of these, but particularly the last one because no one ever says, "Actually, I'd rather be playing for Buffalo and making 7 mil a year."

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

I have been one of the bigger proponents of keeping Girardi. I am not okay with paying him 6+ million for 6+ years. If that is the case than yes, trade him. Make sure you have your ducks in a row before saying things like that.

Brassard will get 4 - 4.5. Arb eligible or not I think many will agree with me that Brassard would get at most around 4.5. I am alright with that to be honest.

I am not ok with trading him mid season and throwing a rookie in the 2C hole and playing against the elite competition when he may not even be ready. You want him starting in the bottom 6 on the third line. Easing his way into the NHL.

Again, i'm perfectly fine keeping Brassard if you improve your roster in other areas. You chose to pick one suggestion in a batch of suggestions i made, and harp on it.

If you're looking for me to conceed, whatever, im not going to argue about Brassard until we are both blue in the face. Brassard isn'the hill i'll die on.

 

[Ail]

Thanks, man. I worked hard on it. (And yes, I took this opportunity to blatantly bump my own post, because it fell at the end of a page. We all have our egos.)

Eggos, pls

 

[Gardner McKay]

Again, i'm perfectly fine keeping Brassard if you improve your roster in other areas. You chose to pick one suggestion in a batch of suggestions i made, and harp on it.

If you're looking for me to conceed, whatever, im not going to argue about Brassard until we are both blue in the face. Brassard isn'the hill i'll die on.

Maybe because it was the one I disagreed with?

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

Friday is coming fast.

Is the idea to have both Callahan and Girardi figured out by then? Wonder if we hear any updates.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

Maybe because it was the one I disagreed with?

Obviously. It wasn't a popular one. You aren't the only one.

 

[Bardof425*]

Colorado is not a team that is going to make a deep run to the playoffs. They're a rebuilding team that has drastically overachieved. Their defense is a joke. They also played the night before after flying two thirds of the way across the country.

One game doesn't mean you're better than the other team, or even at the same level. There's a reason that the best teams almost always make it to the cup finals. A 7 game series weeds out the outliers. Winnipeg spanked Anaheim the other night. Are they suddenly a playoff team? No, of course not. I can appreciate the streak this team is on, but Lundqvist is absolutely on fire, and the team is getting a **** ton of fortunate and downright lucky bounces in their favor as well.

Hell, even on this hot streak, look at the results against teams who are actually legitimate playoff contenders. We've been beating up on lesser teams.

The Islanders are not a lesser team; don't care what their record says. We have been beating whoever has been on our schedule. the defense is fantastic right now and Hank is cleaning up any mistakes. Tough to beat a team that has the talent on D that we have with the speed that we have upfront. Our playoff fate will come down to Step, Brass and Richie. if they are up to the task we are as good as anyone in the East.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Friday is coming fast.

Is the idea to have both Callahan and Girardi figured out by then? Wonder if we hear any updates.

Girardi can wait. He isn't playing in the olympics. You don't have to worry about him getting injured in Sochi. If Sather plans on dealing Girardi it also gives him more time wheel and deal with other GMS.

 

[Trxjw]

We are certainly below Boston and Pitt, but I'm not sure of anyone else, especially with this recent stretch. We've won 15 of our last 21, that's significant, especially when you understand the beginning of this season was more a reflection of the change in style and adapting to a new system, then of the actual roster as constructed.

Sure we have a few major holes but how are we not a notch below the best of the east? And sure, the West is clearly better, but often we see them go through the rounds, get beat up by beastly western teams and are more worn down than the Eastern teams. The measuring stick is the East, that's all that matters. Beat the East and if we make it to the finals, we worry about the west.

I don't think we're cup contenders, but we are a good team.

I wholeheartedly agree with your last sentence. However, I don't think you should make "contender" caliber decisions when you're simply a good team.

Look at who we have played over the last 21 games. The majority of the teams are middling teams or basement teams. I'm glad we're beating these teams, but I don't think it's an indication that we're primed for a deep playoff run.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

Needless to say, its easy to see the crossroads this organization is at right now.

 

[bobbop]

There's something wrong with most teams. LA is big but can't score. Pittsburgh is just waiting for Fleury to melt down again the playoffs. Chicago has less depth up front than last year. San Jose can't win in May. You can never be sure of St. Louis' goaltending.

The only truly complete team I see right now is Anaheim. And that comes with the caveat that several of their defensemen are playing way over their career standards.

The Rangers record is right there with the best in the east since the first six weeks of the season. The depth is good and there is plenty of scoring...much more than in the past. Plus they seem to be getting better as the season progresses. Yes, there are needs -- certainly some more size would help and another offensive threat on the backline.

As long as Henrik is capable of stealing a game or a series, this is a much more dangerous team than many of you seem to think. I can easily see the Rangers getting to the final 4 and from there anything can happen. Just look back 2 years if you need a refresher on that.

I expect Sather to do exactly what he has done in recent years...make some window dressing trades unbless a true hockey trade is to be made.

 

[Raspewtin]

This team really isn't far from being a contender, but the pieces they lack are significant and hard to acquire.

This organization needs to start making the right decisions, now. Keep the right players, trade the wrong ones. This isn't rocket science. We are at a crossroads right now, and are being presented with a great opportunity to begin upgrading the team.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Obviously. It wasn't a popular one. You aren't the only one.

Well that is the purpose of these boards. Discussion!

A lot of people here (not saying you would) would trade the entire team including Lundqvist for 1st round picks/prospects tomorrow if they could. That is the way you build a dynasty in NHL 14. The problem is, the real world has winners and losers. Not every prospect turns out into the 4.5 star C you hoped for.

That is why I am so hellbent on keeping Brassard. So many here (not just yourself) would slot Miller in as the 2C tomorrow if they could. It just doesn't work that way. I agree he could be a 2C down the road but he needs to start off in the bottom 6. You could seriously ruin his confidence by starting him in the 2C spot if it fails. This teams chances of winning 1 round in the playoffs also go down the drain.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I agree. We lost a close game to St. Louis. Other than the horrific start to the season makes you think we are so mis matched?

We even played St. Louis well when we were one of the worst teams in the league. Like maybe bottom 2 at the time. We lost to St. Louis in a game we outshot them by 10, had the better chances, were tied going into the 3rd, and had one goal be a total fluke and sort of soft. That game should have at least gone in OT. It was embarrassing how many people were ******** on the team after we lost a close game due to bad luck when we outplayed one of the best teams in the league. Embarrassing. Rangers fans sometimes make me sick. After that game you'd think we were Edmonton.