@LHoffman:
@Young:
I’m hoping that my Habs acquire Ryan Callahan from the NY Rangers before Wednesday’s trade deadline.
Are they serious about it? What do you believe they would give up? I am not sure what New York is looking for in return, generally speaking.
Look no further than the Red Wings for a team that really could use a good addition for the playoff run. Their young guys are good and getting better, but existing contracts with some guys/acquisitions are preventing their full utilization. Detroit needs to dump Weiss, Bertuzzi, Cleary and Samuelsson in the offseason and stick with Jurco, Nyquist, Tatar, Glendening and Sheahan.
In the meantime, a Ryan Kesler or Ryan Callahan would benefit them greatly. Not sure they are willing to pay the price though.
Because Ryan Callahan is a UFA at the end of the year, and the fact that he’s looking for a big payday (6 years at 6 million), he is available as a rental player. Everyone knows that the Ranger’s hands are tied, so they won’t get maximum payout, especially with the uncertainty of his new team negotiating a contract with a guy who may of had zero intentions of signing with you when traded. There are a few good reason why Callahan could become a Montreal Canadien… 1. Callahan and Prust were very good friends in NY, and Callahan didn’t take the departure of his good buddy very well and thought that NY made a mistake letting him go. 2. Montreal and New York have a recent history of trading with each other (Macdonagh for Gomez / Thomas for Kristo…). 3. Marc Bergevin (MON GM) loves acquiring players with character, and Ryan Callahan has the most Character of all the available trade bait. I think the price will be a high draft pick, an AHL prospect, and a decent roster player. If I were the Habs, I would trade Lars Eller, a 2nd round pick, and and a mid level prospect, I would pay more if Callahan had a year left on an existing contract. However, a guy like Callahan will likely go for a lot more for the following reason… everyone is looking for defenseman, so teams will have no choice but to become more defensive by getting a guy like Callahan to strengthen their bottom 6 forwards.
I think Detroit will pick up a very useful piece, but I don’t think they will make a big splash… they seem to feel out of sorts in their new conference and might wish to reevaluate the type of team needed to win in the east. Also, their playoff picture is still to uncertain to try and hit a home run by giving up assets. However, they always seem to make a move at these times, but I think the big name will be more likely to move out this deadline rather than move in.