Are the Oilers In On Ryan Callahan

According to multiple sources around the league Glen Sather has given multiple teams permission to speak with Ryan Callahan’s agent. One must consider that the Oilers are one of many teams that would want Callahan’s services.

Let’s Look

Callahan is a right winger, 28 years old, and a veteran of 8 NHL seasons, he’s also the captain of the New York Rangers, and a member of the US Olympic team. He’s a 3 time 20 goal scorer and this season he’s on pace for right round 40 points. His best season points wise was 54 back in the 11-12 campaign, but last season if not shortened by the lock out would have probably seen him hit career highs in goals and points, he finished with 16g-15a-31pts in 45 games.

But Callahan isn’t all about the offense. He’s very well rounded and plays in all situations PK, PP and is out on the ice late in the game both with the lead and when trailing. Over his career he’s on the ice an average of 18:08 minutes per game, this year he’s a little under that at 17:52.

My favorite thing about Callahan’s game is the fact that he can hit. He hits a lot (109) hits so far this season. He hits clean too, he’s only got 14 minutes in penalties. That’s what you call grit, or what MacT calls truculence.

He’s a feisty little bugger, little being the key word here. He’s listed on the Rangers website as 5’11” 190lbs. That doesn’t seem to be in the realm of what Craig MacTavish has been talking about when he says he wants to improve the size and toughness of this Oilers team.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTxboNlWugE]
My personal thoughts on this are, I think the Oilers should skip over Callahan, and not because I don’t think he’s a hell of a player, but for the size factor. Callahan, while he’ll make this team a bit tougher, won’t do anything to make them bigger and the Oilers need a combination of both not just one.

Besides size, I’m guessing Callahan wants a hefty raise and that’s one of the reasons Sather is letting him talk with other teams. A hefty raise on his 4.825 million dollar salary puts him wanting what 5.5-6 million? That’s a lot of money for a guy that as it stands now would be bouncing between the 2^nd and 3^rd line right wing.

I would much rather have a winger with skill and grit and size. Don’t get me wrong if Callahan becomes and Oilers I’ll welcome the move full heartedly but…I think many of you are going to disagree with me on this.

MacT….This is not the forward you are looking for.

Thanks for Reading