No, I'm serious. Obviously taking the salary cap into accoubt it makes a Vanek deal unlikely but in terms of him not being something the Rangers need, that's just not true. He'll finish the year with close 275-280 career goals and will be the best forward on the UFA market.
- tomburton99

I hear you brother...would be a good fit but I think he'll command more than the team's willing to pay. As far as a trade...if it wasn't the isles I would entertain the possibility, even for Cally, (given the circumstances).

I hear you brother...would be a good fit but I think he'll command more than the team's willing to pay. As far as a trade...if it wasn't the isles I would entertain the possibility, even for Cally, (given the circumstances).
- climbdenali12

If the Rangers decide to keep Richards or amnesty Richards and go after Stastny, that doesn't leave enough dough to go around. The Rangers probably won't come out of this transition better than they were before.

I think the Avs would gladly pay Girardis contract demands, now just depends on how much of a trade price tag is attached to him

I think the Avs would gladly pay Girardis contract demands, now just depends on how much of a trade price tag is attached to him
- DDM-Coga

Did I tell ya about a boring game that would go to OT or did I tell ya?

I'm really disappointed in Cally and Girardi, so much for hometown discounts and loyalty, I still think there's a better chance that Girardi gets resigned but Cally can go enjoy a major rebuild in the middle of his career in Buffalo
- cranford93

Ya but who gives hometown discounts? Marleau and Thornton had their big pay days. Callahans only chance to cash in is now, the way he plays he isn't going to see a contract on the other side of 35. I love him and want him to stay as much as anyone but I am having a hard time criticizing him and Girardi for putting the screws to the Rangers. Didn't Sather put the screws to his RFA's (with the exception of McDonagh) early in their careers? I hate it as much as anyone and we scream loyalty b/c we would do anything to play on this team even those of us who don't skate particularly well and we all say we would do it for a fraction of what these guys make. Who are we kidding?

Did I tell ya about a boring game that would go to OT or did I tell ya?
- cranford93

Devils suck donkey, I was so frustrated watching that game. Luckily the Avs said eff you guys with 5 mins left and turned up the jets.

I expect a lot better game tonight, Avs have been pretty good this season on back to back nights

Devils suck donkey, I was so frustrated watching that game. Luckily the Avs said eff you guys with 5 mins left and turned up the jets.

I expect a lot better game tonight, Avs have been pretty good this season on back to back nights
- DDM-Coga

I'm really disappointed in Cally and Girardi, so much for hometown discounts and loyalty, I still think there's a better chance that Girardi gets resigned but Cally can go enjoy a major rebuild in the middle of his career in Buffalo
- cranford93

I've been following the Callahan & Girardi rumors and I have to say I can certainly understand why each is unwilling to take a discount. Jan did a nice job laying out how the NYR have been willing to throw money at FA's (Richards, Gaborik, Gomez, Drury), but not their home grown talent outside of Lunquvist. After seeing those guys get paid & having earned only $19M in 9 season (Callahan) and $17.5M in 8 seasons(Girardi) I wouldn't be willing to take a discount either.

That being said, I'd let both of them go rather than hand out the contracts they are looking for. The money is too big and the length is worrisome. And in the end its not like they'd be breaking up a dynasty or a Cup winning team or losing generational talents; re-load and go at it with some fresh blood.

I've been following the Callahan & Girardi rumors and I have to say I can certainly understand why each is unwilling to take a discount. Jan did a nice job laying out how the NYR have been willing to throw money at FA's (Richards, Gaborik, Gomez, Drury), but not their home grown talent outside of Lunquvist. After seeing those guys get paid & having earned only $19M in 9 season (Callahan) and $17.5M in 8 seasons) I wouldn't be willing to take a discount either.

That being said, I'd let both of them go rather than hand out the contracts they are looking for. The money is too big and the length is worrisome. And in the end its not like they'd be breaking up a dynasty or a Cup winning team or losing generational talents; re-load and go at it with some fresh blood.
- s0rcerer1984

I have awlays thought the NHL needed to deploy a Franchise type tag on players to keep their home grown talent.

If they have the tag attached to their contract they get paid the full amount of the contract, but only something like 80% of it counts against the cap. Players get their money and teams can keep their cores together without destroying their cap space, building winning teams and in the process always make money for the club.

Trade the player then their contract cap hit goes back up to 100% since he is not your draft pick home grown player

send them both to St. Louis for Stewart and Shattenkirk.

I've been following the Callahan & Girardi rumors and I have to say I can certainly understand why each is unwilling to take a discount. Jan did a nice job laying out how the NYR have been willing to throw money at FA's (Richards, Gaborik, Gomez, Drury), but not their home grown talent outside of Lunquvist. After seeing those guys get paid & having earned only $19M in 9 season (Callahan) and $17.5M in 8 seasons(Girardi) I wouldn't be willing to take a discount either.

That being said, I'd let both of them go rather than hand out the contracts they are looking for. The money is too big and the length is worrisome. And in the end its not like they'd be breaking up a dynasty or a Cup winning team or losing generational talents; re-load and go at it with some fresh blood.
- s0rcerer1984

only problem is that the Rangers are probably playing better hockey right now than at any point even during the 2011-12 season, so it's a really tough spot

I've been following the Callahan & Girardi rumors and I have to say I can certainly understand why each is unwilling to take a discount. Jan did a nice job laying out how the NYR have been willing to throw money at FA's (Richards, Gaborik, Gomez, Drury), but not their home grown talent outside of Lunquvist. After seeing those guys get paid & having earned only $19M in 9 season (Callahan) and $17.5M in 8 seasons(Girardi) I wouldn't be willing to take a discount either.

That being said, I'd let both of them go rather than hand out the contracts they are looking for. The money is too big and the length is worrisome. And in the end its not like they'd be breaking up a dynasty or a Cup winning team or losing generational talents; re-load and go at it with some fresh blood.
- s0rcerer1984

I understand that watching your team open up its wallet for strangers makes you want to get paid to but what has Callahan done to think deserves close to 7 million and how do they expect to field a winning team with that contract blocking the way?

Ya but who gives hometown discounts? Marleau and Thornton had their big pay days. Callahans only chance to cash in is now, the way he plays he isn't going to see a contract on the other side of 35. I love him and want him to stay as much as anyone but I am having a hard time criticizing him and Girardi for putting the screws to the Rangers. Didn't Sather put the screws to his RFA's (with the exception of McDonagh) early in their careers? I hate it as much as anyone and we scream loyalty b/c we would do anything to play on this team even those of us who don't skate particularly well and we all say we would do it for a fraction of what these guys make. Who are we kidding?
- Blueshirts4ever

Slats leverages his RFAs. He gets great contracts in the short term when he does that, but it does create the type of environment where you can't expect those RFAs to not exercise their leverage when they become UFAs. That is what Slats has signed up for, and there are positives to the approach but also negatives. With that said, the two players we are talking about here, weren't actually leveraged that hard. Girardi signed a very favorable deal, and indeed, the majority of people on this board believed that it was too rich when it was signed. I also don't remember Callahan's negotiations being too contentious, at least in public. He didn't get close to training camp or arbitration before getting a deal done. So, take that for what it is.

There is also another elephant in the room, which hasn't been discussed much. Next year, Staal, assuming that he doesn't have any further health issues, is also likely to become a $6 million plus defensemen. If the Rangers want to retain him, they have to keep that in mind in determining what to give Callahan and Girardi, and the choices they have to make.

I'm sure everyone who now says that we absolutely have to trade Callahan and Girardi will enjoy the terrible rest of this season that will result. Trading your captain and 3rd alternate (2nd alternate on D) midseason is an unprecedented explosion of your leadership corps. They'd be lucky to even make the playoffs. No doubt everyone will be just peachy with that come the end of the season...

I have awlays thought the NHL needed to deploy a Franchise type tag on players to keep their home grown talent.

If they have the tag attached to their contract they get paid the full amount of the contract, but only something like 80% of it counts against the cap. Players get their money and teams can keep their cores together without destroying their cap space.

Trade the player then their contract cap hit goes back up to 100% since he is not your draft pick home grown player
- DDM-Coga

Personally, I'm not a fan of that idea at all. Crosby/Malkin, Toewes/Kane, Ovechkin/Backstrom, Datsyuk/Zetterberg, Doughty/Quick have all been retained by their hometown teams. So long as the player is worth the money he is seeking then retaining him doesn't seem to be an issue.

And if he isn't worth the money any sane GM should just let him walk or get what assets via trade he can. As a Pens fan I do wish Jordan Staal was still in Pittsburgh, but at the end of the day he was too good to be a 3rd0line C for his entire career. Glad Shero got what he could from the Canes and wish Staal the bets of luck.

I've been following the Callahan & Girardi rumors and I have to say I can certainly understand why each is unwilling to take a discount. Jan did a nice job laying out how the NYR have been willing to throw money at FA's (Richards, Gaborik, Gomez, Drury), but not their home grown talent outside of Lunquvist. After seeing those guys get paid & having earned only $19M in 9 season (Callahan) and $17.5M in 8 seasons(Girardi) I wouldn't be willing to take a discount either.

That being said, I'd let both of them go rather than hand out the contracts they are looking for. The money is too big and the length is worrisome. And in the end its not like they'd be breaking up a dynasty or a Cup winning team or losing generational talents; re-load and go at it with some fresh blood.
- s0rcerer1984

I can fully understand and appreciate a player wanting to "get paid". In the end, though, you need to demand a reasonable rate.

I think Girardi is rather reasonable, but the Callahan demand is crazy. What he is commanding is a goal-scorers rate of mid to upper $6M. If he gets $6.5M or more for 5-7 years, from any team, I have no doubt in my mind he will end up Drury 2.0 and get boo'd out of town.

Until he scores 30, which he hasn't and probably can't because he can't play a full season from Cally Kamakazee injuries, he should not ever get what he is asking for.

Look, I like the guy and want him to stay and potentially finish his carreer here in NY, but what he is needs to do is realize that what he is asking for is potential carreer suicide.

only problem is that the Rangers are probably playing better hockey right now than at any point even during the 2011-12 season, so it's a really tough spot
- jimbro83

I certainly understand. As a GM in NHl14, I'd trade both, load up on assets (picks/prospects) and come back next year looking to compete. Just better for the long-term. However, in the real world every professional sports team is in the entertainment business & pissing off your fanbase by throwing away the season isn't going to be popular. Its a tough spot to be in with no perfect solution.

Slats leverages his RFAs. He gets great contracts in the short term when he does that, but it does create the type of environment where you can't expect those RFAs to not exercise their leverage when they become UFAs. That is what Slats has signed up for, and there are positives to the approach but also negatives. With that said, the two players we are talking about here, weren't actually leveraged that hard. Girardi signed a very favorable deal, and indeed, the majority of people on this board believed that it was too rich when it was signed. I also don't remember Callahan's negotiations being too contentious, at least in public. He didn't get close to training camp or arbitration before getting a deal done. So, take that for what it is.

There is also another elephant in the room, which hasn't been discussed much. Next year, Staal, assuming that he doesn't have any further health issues, is also likely to become a $6 million plus defensemen. If the Rangers want to retain him, they have to keep that in mind in determining what to give Callahan and Girardi, and the choices they have to make.
- Pete V

very true and i thought of that as I was posting but it still doesn't mean that these two should sign for a discount. Its a harsh world. Staal is another key decision, so what it comes down to is of the 3, Staal, Girardi and Callahan, who are the two most valuable players to retain over the long term?

My whole issue and I think we all agree is what is this going to cost us in terms of a chance to make a run at the cup this season?

I certainly understand. As a GM in NHl14, I'd trade both, load up on assets (picks/prospects) and come back next year looking to compete. Just better for the long-term. However, in the real world every professional sports team is in the entertainment business & pissing off your fanbase by throwing away the season isn't going to be popular. Its a tough spot to be in with no perfect solution.
- s0rcerer1984

Problem with that is the Rangers are in playoff position and could possibly come out with a first round home ice advantage. Not sure why anyone would tank a season and load up on prospect at this point in the year.

I wonder if a team would pony up and try and adquire them both to take a real run at it by shaking up their rosters and tryign to slide into the playoffs in the hopes to make some noise

Jets or Sens maybe?

I certainly understand. As a GM in NHl14, I'd trade both, load up on assets (picks/prospects) and come back next year looking to compete. Just better for the long-term. However, in the real world every professional sports team is in the entertainment business & pissing off your fanbase by throwing away the season isn't going to be popular. Its a tough spot to be in with no perfect solution.
- s0rcerer1984

Don't take offense to this but thats easy for you to say when your team is among the best every year and we are always in that in between area. When you have 2 or the best 3 or 4 players in the universe its easy to say that.

Pat Leonard ‏@PLeonardNYDN 2m
Marc Staal only Ranger not on ice this morning at the Garden. Not sure why

Problem with that is the Rangers are in playoff position and could possibly come out with a first round home ice advantage. Not sure why anyone would tank a season and load up on prospect at this point in the year.
- mames11

This one is impossible to balance for Sather.

Pat Leonard ‏@PLeonardNYDN 2m
Marc Staal only Ranger not on ice this morning at the Garden. Not sure why


- jimbro83

AV will give us an answer when he meets with the media I'm sure

Pat Leonard ‏@PLeonardNYDN 2m
Marc Staal only Ranger not on ice this morning at the Garden. Not sure why


- jimbro83

Well if I had to guess, I'm gonna say its the stomach bug that's going around. I had it, and think I have a permanent toilet seat impression on my ass. Freaking horrible.