With the Winter Olympics roster freeze a week away and the NHL trade deadline following soon after on March 5, many different names have been a part of trade rumors throughout the past week, and New York Rangers captain Ryan Callahan can be added among the list.
According to CBS Sports, a trade of Callahan--who is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season--has been explored by Rangers general manager Glen Sather as the talks between the two sides on an extension haven't gotten very far.
The report indicates that if Callahan and Sather don't reach a new deal by the March 5 deadline, he could be traded and that many teams could be excited to land the gritty player if he becomes available.
"That's a pretty big name," one Western Conference source told CBS Sports about the possibility of Callahan reaching the trade market.
While anything can happen, the Rangers willingness to actually deal Callahan is likely minor at this present time and the team may just be using this as a way to jumpstart the negotiations to land Callahan on a long-term deal.
Callahan, 28 was selected in the fourth round (127th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and has played in eight seasons for New York, with his first coming in 2006-07 where he played in 15 games. Callahan has showed flashes of tremendous offense, but is mostly known for his fearless team-first defense with his prowess of blocking shots and killing penalties for the Rangers.
Callahan has had a couple of injuries sideline him this season, so he's appeared in just 37 games while putting up nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points, and he brings a level of grit with him to the ice that New York would certainly miss if he is dealt.
After a slow start to the season, the Rangers have been clicking as of late and are second in the Metropolitan Division and sixth overall in the Eastern Conference with a 28-23-3 record and 59 points while they try to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year and the seventh time in their last eight seasons.
Callahan has played in 442 games for the Blueshirts and has 130 goals, 119 assists and 249 points.
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