Ryan Callahan: Dang, Did We Miss Out!
- Cody Flavell (@LetsTalkPens)
- Feb 22, 2016
- 3 min read
Cody Flavell (@LetsTalkPens)
The Pittsburgh Penguins were linked to Ryan Callahan two seasons ago at the trade deadline and I believe they should've made a bigger push to trade for him. We are a bit far removed from the topic, but I can't help but think how different things would be within the Penguins' organization had they traded for "Cally" and went on to win the Stanley Cup.
Callahan would've been an immediate leading presence in the locker room as he was the captain of the New York Rangers before being dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Martin St. Louis. He was dealt because the Rangers didn't feel he was worth the $6.5 million he was asking for and received from Tampa Bay. The Rangers wanted to resign him but felt his demands were unreasonable.
I am a huge Ryan Callahan fan, which may lead to a bit of bias in why I think the Penguins would've been a great suitor for him.
At the time, the Penguins' coach was Dan Bylsma. Bylsma had been pushing hard for Callahan after Bylsma, the coach of the U. S. Olympic team in 2014, had chosen and seen Callahan play. He reportedly tried convincing former Penguins GM Ray Shero to go after Callahan but the organization determined the price was too steep.
I believe the Penguins missed out on Ryan Callahan. I wholeheartedly believe it actually. His contract is steep. But when you take into account what Callahan's skill set is, you can clearly see why the Lightning gave him the money they did.
Callahan is notably one of the leagues best penalty killers. He blocks shots and gives his body up just about anytime he can.
He's got enough offense that it makes him look like a skilled player. His career high in points is 54. He's hit that number twice in his career and one of those times was last season. While that seems like a small number, he's never played with a talented, all-around player aside from Stamkos, who he's thrived with when given the opportunity to play with him, a big reason why he hit the career high plateau last season. He's got the hands to do it too.
He's also a very physical player and dishes out more hits a year than Taylor Swift (sorry but it's true).
During his tenure with New York, Callahan was making $5 million. I think if the Pens would've used him as a rental instead of signing him to a contract they didn't have the cap space for, it could've lifted them into a bigger role in the 2014 playoffs.
It may sound far fetched to think one guy can make a huge difference on a hockey team that already included Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Marc-Andre Fleury, but Callahan's presence is different. The Lightning have a record 27-5-2 when Callahan scores a goal. Maybe you believe it matters, maybe you don't. Regardless, that's a pretty notable statistic to see when you think of a player and the difference he makes to his team.
Callahan and Patric Hornqvist are a lot alike to me. They're both gritty players who enjoy dishing hits, blocking shots, and can play offensively. Hornqvist just comes at a much cheaper price.
There is no saying what New York would've demanded the Penguins to give up in a deal involving Callahan and he wouldn't have come cheap, but the Pens should've made a more aggressive play to bring him to Pittsburgh.
He was the main Ranger (Captain) in New York. He's got the potential to light it up with the Bolts. But he could've helped a furious "March of the Penguins" turn into a June filled with "Pens of Champsagascar".
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