With the 2014 Sochi Games over and done with, the NHL rosters are now unfrozen and teams have until the March 5 trade deadline to get deals done. The New York Rangers are reportedly planning on being active and the latest buzz involved the Blueshirts looking to trade their captain Ryan Callahan to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Martin St. Louis, but Tampa Bay may not be interested.
According to the New York Post, even though St. Louis' name has appeared in the rumor mill ever since Lightning general manager bypassed the 38-year-old when he was constructing the Canadian men's Olympic hockey team, no trade is pending to bring him to New York.
Rangers general manager Glen Sather has at the very least inquired with Tampa Bay about shifting the soon-to-be free agent Callahan to Tampa Bay in exchange for St. Louis, but reportedly the talks haven't gained much traction. Callahan and the Rangers haven't seen eye-to-eye on a contract extension and if things don't heat up between Callahan and the team between now and March 5, the Rangers could be looking to trade him away.
Callahan is due to return to the team Monday after spending the last two weeks in Sochi for U.S.A's Olympic men's hockey team, which ultimately fell to Finland in the bronze medal game.
According to the New York Post, Callahan is hoping for a seven-year deal worth $6.75 million while the Rangers have stuck to wanting to go five years for an annual hit of $6 million. With the Lightning likely not looking to retain Callahan for his asking price if they were to trade for him and not wanting to part with their leading scorer for a rental player, a deal between the Rangers and Lightning is likely dead.
Callahan, 28, has 24 points through 42 games for the Rangers this season off of 11 goals and 13 assists, and is the heart-and-soul of the team, often giving up his body to block shots and kill penalties. Ironically enough, it is his style of play--which leads to injuries--that makes the Rangers weary of offering him a seven-year deal.
St. Louis, 38, who has a full no-trade clause on his deal that expires next season, leads the Lightning with 56 points in 58 games off of 25 goals and 31 assists.
It's unknown if the Rangers will be able to keep Callahan, but as the March 5 deadline rapidly approaches, the Rangers captain could be on the move.
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