He's staying, no he's gone. He's staying, no he's gone, this has been the lot of Ryan Callahan the past few weeks and maybe the past few months. Depending on who you read, listen to or believe, Callahan was either about to get dealt or find a way to remain with the Rangers.
After Dan Girardi signed his six-year, $33 million deal Friday, many felt that this would enable the Rangers to re-sign Cally given that he and his wife are best friends with Girardi and his spouse. This view was due to the rumors that had come out that Callahan and Girardi would be a matched set in free agency, similar to Suter and Parise, who each landed in Minnesota. That expectation seemed very realistic when word started to filter out that Callahan had lowered demands away from the rumored seven years and close to $7 mil per season he wanted. But not so fast. This is Glen Sather you are negotiating with. Now that he knows you are budging, he wants to extract a bit more flesh.
The most recent rumor is that Callahan wanted six years at around $6.25 million from NY but Sather is adamant at sticking to just six million per season. Of course this entire negotiation has been about information not leaking accurately to the public. What do I mean? Everyone thought that Callahan was stuck on seven years, but we found out today that the two sides have pretty much been in lockstep at six years since before the Olympics. Months ago, it was that Callahan wanted six million and the Rangers didn't want to go that high, yet then it was reported he wanted closer to seven million while NY had offered five and $30. So what to believe now?
I ask you. Do you think Sather really wants Callahan here or is he looking for any way to push him out the door by holding fast to the $250k difference? What about Rangers fans? A month or so ago most were up in arms that Callahan wouldn't be back. Now, it's become the de riguer to point out how he is 95th in forward scoring the past few seasons, which is between Simmonds and Ryder. How six million for what he brings to the table is too high. That the leadership qualities he has have been overblown and overplayed. Plus more important, how locking him up given all the team needs, scoring and size, as well as the number of UFA and RFA on the squad that require tough decisions this offseason would not be a wise use of cap space.
So, here's the better question, at how many years and at what price do you want him back? Regardless of what happens there will be disatisfied fans on both sides of the equation. Here is a hint Glen Sather, do the right thing for the organization as a whole. Don't worry about what looks best or is the most politically expedient. Make a decision and stick to it. If it's you really want Callahan back, then 250k is a ridiculous reason to hold up the talks, but if you don't, then don't play this out to the last minute. Either keep him for the balance of the year and then let him walk or try and deal him for something useful for the balance of the year. Personally, I would like Callahan back but at Girardi money, and if not, then play it up, supplement the team with something at the deadline and use the cap room in the offseason.
Approximately 39 hours to the trade deadline...which way will this play out and how does the fanbase want it to end up?