Poll: Should the Buffalo Sabres Go After Ryan Callahan?
Yesterday we asked you guys if the Buffalo Sabres should take a stab at re-signing Thomas Vanek this offseason. Surprisingly a lot of you guys voted yes which is awesome for your Sabres loyalty. We’d bring back an old fan favourite, and we’d be able to spend some much needed coin to reach the rising cap floor. Another name that has been thrown out there is New York Rangers captain Ryan Callahan,who is set to hit the free agent market at the end of this season.
I’m not a huge Rangers fan, and I don’t pretend to be, so I have no idea what Callahan’s relationship is with the club besides the fact
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he wears the C on his chest. However, for the sake of this article let’s say Callahan is 100% committed to finding a new home and testing out free agency this offseason; cool? Cool.
While Callahan is a winger and not a centre, he is still a player, the Buffalo Sabres could use going forward. He would be a big improvement over Drew Stafford and Matt D’Agostini on the wing. He could even help mentor Zemgus Girgensons and help take some of the pressure off of him to be the future.
Ryan Callahan was taken 127th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2004 draft, but since has turned himself into well respected NHL player and captain of the New York Rangers. If Callahan does hit the free agent market he will be one of the top guys on the market and teams will be throwing money at him left right and centre, but the Buffalo Sabres have money to spend. At the very least, it will probably take a 6 year deal worth $6 or $7 million to bring Callahan to Buffalo but the two time Olympian may be worth the money.
Callahan is still young- sub 30 and is going to give you around 30 goals and 50 points every season, he brings a leadership presence into the locker room and onto the ice. Steve Ott is a great emotional leader and captain. He knows what to say, when to say it and who’s buttons he will be pushing. Where as Callahan will be that leader on the ice, he’ll let his skills do the talking for him as he leads the Sabres offence on the first line with Matt Moulson.
He may not be the flashiest of players, but there’s something about the way he plays the game that sets him apart from those who are more skilled than himself. His hockey IQ seems to be in another league and Callahan just seems to have the “it” factor that helps his teams win. He has 5 years of NHL playoff experience under his belt including a trip to the Conference Finals in 2012, not to mention he has an Olympic silver medal.
Ryan Callahan is the type of player teams can build around and at 28-almost 29- he’ll be able to provide a staple on either the first or second line through the rebuild. He would add instant credibility to the Sabres roster and perhaps entice other players to come and join the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres have the money, why not use it on a guy like Callahan?
Should the Buffalo Sabres make a run at Ryan Callahan to help bolster their line-up through the rebuild? It’s a simple yes or no poll, place your vote and explain in the comments.