By K. Donnelly
In my opinion, I firmly believe that the New York Rangers should stitch a big fat C on Marian Gaborik's jersey.
Here's why; Marian carries this team (with Hank of course) on his shoulders, he's the best player since Jagr to wear the Blueshirt, and he's a superstar that should be treated like one.
Remember when Gaborik said; "I hope, that management of our club will do something about it. We suffered the consequences of unbalanced performances. If we played during the whole season like in the last month, we would have advanced to the play-offs…’
He seems frustrated and unhappy and I think a great way to avoid the consequences of said unbalanced performances is to follow a leader who is rarely unbalanced in his own performance. In addition, by making him the captain it will show that we respect him and don't take him for granted. The last thing we want is for him to be unhappy and demand a trade.
So what are the Pros and Cons of having Gaborik become captain of the New York Rangers?
Pros
-Has leadership/captain experience
-Leads by example on the ice.
-Would be a big inspiration and teacher for the young guys. (A Slovak Yoda if you will)
-Takes pressure off Drury who may in turn step his game up.
-Could reward teammates with rides in his Ferrari
Cons
-His performance could decline a-la Patrick Marleau.
That's about it.
In summation, I firmly believe that Gaborik should be made the Captain of the New York Rangers because of how it could benefit the team overall and because he deserves it.
What do you guys think? Should we start a "Make Marian Gaborik Captain" Facebook group? Or are you on team Drury/Callahan/Dubi?
Discuss amongst ya'selves...
79 comments:
He doesnt nedd the "C" to do all of your listed pros, because He is already doing them.....except for theDrury part, which I don't believe would make a difference in drury's game, I don't think dru feels pressure, look at his life/ career diced he was a kid...
Your 1 con is huge!!!!! And this team cant afford that, just so gaborik can het a letter on his chest....
I say keep the "C" with drury
Drury will be and should be captain until hi contract expires. Then the team will be led by callahan. Period
John's scenario is probably the most likely. It should be understood that the people making the decision will have a feel on whether Gabby would want the C or not, and whether he would be the type to brood if he didn't get it. My guess is that he wouldn't be the type to brood and would be fine with an "A" and 4-5 more 40 goal seasons.
The "C" is an anchor unless you've got balls of steel like Messier. I think it made Jagr a worse player. It strangled Leech. And it's killing Drury. Keep it with Drury as he's got nowhere to go but up. Gaborik needs to think about nothing but scoring goals.
A man who stands in the neutral zone looking for home run passes all night long should not be captain. A man who admitted he didn't watch his former teams games because he was too busy taking care of his injury should not be captain.
I agree with Dennis, Gaborik doesn't need a letter to be a leader. His job is to produce for the club and inject energy into the team.
Also, his captaincy with the Wild was a result of a rotating captaincy, not because he was a great leader.
Giving the C to the teams best player isn't always the smart thing to do. You need someone everybody respects, including the refs.
Leave it with Drury, he's a proven champ.
If it was just the leadership responsibilities that came with the C, I would say yes, but part of the duties and responsibilities of being the captain have to do with team management duties, player representation to management,player responsibilities which run the whole gamut from players being on the team bus and meetings at the correct times to making sure that each player is assigned certain community endeavors and public relations activities. Media responsibilities after the game, team leadership responsibilities in NHL matters and their subsequent meetings. Just to name a few. I would let Dru keep the responsibilities until his contract expires. Thats just my opinion where I would rather have Gaborik concentrate in carrying this club with goals and his leadership qualities showing up at the right times, instead of a list of off ice duties to be performed and the additional pressures that those items generate.
I agree that Drury should give up the C for Gaborik.
For better or worse, a team's captain is typically its best player, and for that reason, the player wearing the C is expected to be the team's best player. Drury is sinking under the weight of that expectation. He will never be the best player on this (mediocre) team. I bet his play would improve if that weight were lifted off his shoulders.
The team needs a captain who is vocal and who's play it can be inspired by. I think the team as a whole needs Gabby to be captain.
I don't buy that Gabby's play will suffer with the C. Wearing the C means you are expected to be a superstar and he's already expected to do that.
It should not go to the best play it should go to the best leader and then when the next captain is ready to step he does example brindamor passing the c to eric staal. I think when the time comes the c wil be given to the right leader. And another example of why the best player shouldn't get the C, kovalchuk, he was the best player on atlanta and was by no means a leader. Why do you think teams go a couple seasons not having a captain and having three players wear A's it has to be erned, gaborik is in the top of the nhl in talent but has to stil prove he's a leaser. I think cally gets it eventually anyway but that's my opinion
I'm actually really surprised how many people back Drury. How soon we forget how frustrating a player he is to watch - giving away the puck, making dumb plays, not skating hard.
Most importantly, when his team is skating around like they have cement in there skates, I don't see him doing anything to get them recharged...I see Gaborik doing that.
@Fleish - good point, my Con is a HUGE one. But don't forget, he was the Captain of the Wild and he didn't lose a step.
John P. - How has Callahan shown any leadership?
Annoying Joe - Good point, Gabby might not even want the title.
@Dennis - Good points there. But what is 40 goals if the rest of the team sh*ts the bed? What if he scored 30 but his leadership made the entire team better? Isn't that more valuable?
@Anonymous #1 - You're prob an Islander's fan.
@ Brett - Good points there - except, how is Drury a proven champ?
@Anonymous #2 - You're my favorite commenter.
K- I don't think people are backing Drury as much as they are recognizing him as the de facto captain as there is no other leaders on the team.
As for Callahan, his effort and tenacity speaks to his personality and I truly believe he will grow into a leadership role on this team and eventually he will be captain.
Eh this discussion isn't really one for the likes of people who aren't around the team day in and day out to have. Only the guys in the locker room know who the real leader of that team is.
The only thing I can say that if I was a guy watching the team for the first time last year and no one had C's and A's strapped to their sweater I would have assumed Prospal was the captain.
so yea...exactly...
Drury's the captain right now and I doubt that will change...when he's gone it'll be either Gaborik, Callahan, Dubinsky, Staal, etc. That'll happen when the time comes...until then I wouldn't worry much about it.
It takes a great athlete to win. It takes balls of steel to predict it like Messier "The Captain" did and then fulfill his prophecy with a hatrick. There isn't anyone on the Rangers now with that kind of character:
http://www.campussqueeze.com/post/Athletes-Who-Called-Their-Shots.aspx
@kdonnely. Gaborik was captain from march till the end of the playoffs in 08 that was it. I wouldn't say that's a long time to be captain. And alson he sturggled big time in the playoffs wearing that C, 6 games played 1 assist. Get the facts straight
Rob,
6 games is an awfully small sample size to say he struggled. Get that fact straight.
I personally don't think the C matters for anything other than choosing unimportant things like the food delivered to the locker room. Leaders lead regardless of a letter on their chests.
Prospal, Rozsival, Lundqvist all exhibited leadership at points last season on the ice. None wore letters.
And to those who say that Callahan should eventually don the C: what if Ryan Hollweg were still on the team? He does all of the things that you say make Callahan the best candidate. The point is tons of players forecheck and hit. Callahan gets extra credit because he's 5'10", 170lbs, and North American and he shoots a lot. But that doesn't mean he's necessarily a leader.
Being Captain, is not about how many points you put on the board.... It's about the leadership you provide on and off the ice.... Doing whatever it takes for the team to win.... While Drury, isn't lighting up the scoreboard... He takes every important face-off, kills all penalties, gives up his body to block shots.... All of thosethings are as important as scoring goals....
How many points did Scott Stevens put up every years?
Ovechkin didn't become captain until Jan 2010, and that's because the Caps traded their captain!!!
Torts has had nothing but positive things to say about drury's leadership abilities... And Tirts isn't usually to shy about ripping someone if he has too...
I was pointing out the fact that he did struggle, if you happened to watch that series on 07-08 he did struggle was it caue of the C probably not but it is a fact he did struggle. And you lost al credibility saying the C doenst matter, name a team the past 10 years that didn't have a captain who led there team through the playoffs, toews,crosby,lidstrom and it goes on and on
Nothing gets you guys going like a good discussion on Drury being the captain. Great stuff guys.
Here are my comments from a post last week on this:
I'd love to see Gaborik get it. This guy was everything and more last season. He fought through injury, he stood up for himself and took on Carcillo and his work ethic is unmatched.
...i also think this would alleviate a lot of pressure off of Drury (see Marleau last season) and allow him to play his game. Similar to how effective he was for the U.S. Olympic team when he was not counted on to be the leader of the team.
name a team past 20 30 years
Let's assume that the Captain Drury supporters here are correct and that wearing the C is all about character and leadership and not about talent. How Drury wins even under this criteria? Where is all this leadership? Was it when he carried his team to the playoffs last year? Nope. Was it when he was the vocal leader who implored his team to play better? Nope, that was Hank. Let's face it, Drury is no Messier. He's a quiet guy who does the dirty work--and that's great. Every team needs that, and I'm glad we have him (just not at 7.7M/per). But that doesn't qualify you to be captain.
-- Anon #2
Rob,
"name a team the past 10 years that didn't have a captain who led there team through the playoffs, toews,crosby,lidstrom and it goes on and on"
That's what we call hindsight bias. Those are all great players. Did they "lead their team through the playoffs" or did they just continue [as expected] being good players? Basically you're saying that teams that win in the playoffs have good players. Shockingly enough, they do. And you're asking me to name a team that wins in the playoffs without elite players. Shockingly enough, there aren't none.
*are none
Just because he can score, doesn't mean he deserves a "C". Just because he's got speed doesn't mean he works hard. Half the time he circles for homerun passes waiting to take off.
I'd like to see Gabby block a shot, take the body, rile up his teammates on the bench, talk to Hank when he's struggling, anything.
I'm not anti-Gab, but I don't think his style of play warrants a "C", even an "A" is a bit of a stretch. Don't forget he had a RARE clean bill of health all last season. What happens when Glass Gaborik's groin goes again and our Captain is missing for 30, 40+ games? Are we just going to rely on assistants to step up all year?
Honestly the only player I see growing in to the captaincy is Callahan. He gives 120% every single shift with hard work, big body plays, shot blocking, and cement hands/pitchfork skating style that somehow allows him to score a bit.
You went off topic there, this was about leaders not elite players. Fact is a team can't win or go anywhere in the playoffs without a strong leader is drury it maybe not, is gaborik who knows but you can't give someone the c until they have proven themselves a leader obviously he is if he was named captain.
The consensus of the comments is that Drury should be captain not because he deserves it and because he plays the hardest but because there is no one else. Well there are other people, but Drury is a fantastic, FANTASTIC captain. He may not be the best ranger player and he may be very overpaid, but Chris Drury is what a captain should be. Captains are not the leading goal scorers or the flashy players. They are the guys who are willing to go the extra mile and to fight till the death for their team. Gaborik may have shown he is a tremoundous player and is much more ballsy and aggressive than once thought, but there is a hell of a difference between him and Drury. They both played on the penalty kill for a majority of the beginning of the season. Drury blocked every shot he can block and gave up everything for the team. Gaborik was a fine pk player but nothing like Drury. Those moments on the PK and in the trenches are what make a leader and a captain. Drury is the type of player that Scott Stevens was for the Devils, one that would do anything to win. Let me remind you that without captain clutch's great play and game tieing goal agaisnt the devils at the end of the season the rangers would not have even been alive when the last game of the season came around. Now Drury should be a third line center, who is the heart and sole of this team. If there was some legitimate scoring options on this team other than Gaborik. Drury's play on the third line would look fantastic and people would realize how good a player he really is. He may not be worth the 7mill but I would rather have him on my team than not. And K Donnely, Drury always skates hard and plays harder than any other ranger, maybe watch some games before you comment about the team at all. And to dog eat chow world, Callahan is a leader because of the way he plays and the way he cares. If alot of other plays are doing what you say he is doing than why is the one with the A. And last time i checked Callahan has gotten into 3 fights this year and all of them were at key moments. For intance at the end of the embarrasing loss to the Pengiuns in November, Cally went toe to toe with Cooke. Thats what a captain does. Perhaps Drury could do it more, but he does have concussion problems so I understand why he wouldnt want to fight.
Dog, how can you be so dismissive Callahan's role? He hits, yes, but he's also a 20goal scorer while playing a big chunk of his time on the pk. With all do respect, anyone that doesn't feel that Callahan isn't an integral part of this team isn't being realistic, and to compare him to Hollweg is a joke and maybe one of the dumbest things I have ever read on this blog.
I agree with annoyingjoe, Hollweg is a garbage fourth liner, who is more comparable to jody shelly. Hollweg isnt even good enough to be compared to brandon prust. So comparing Callahan and Hollweg is just ridicoulous and something that shows the rest of us of little you know about the rangers and hockey. Dog eat chow world, to prevent from being embarrassed further maybe you should just sit the next couple of posts out, dont comment for a little, it would be the best thing for all of us.
Easy there. People were suggesting Callahan should be a captain not for his scoring ability but because of his hitting, checking, and all around grit. Nothing was said about his scoring ability. For that, Hollweg is an excellent comparison. And if we're going to base it on that as well, wouldn't Dubinsky be a better option? Why is he dismissed from this discussion?
And I am not dismissive of the role Callahan plays on the team. Every team needs second and third line forwards. They kill penalties, chip in 20 or so goals, and check. But how does doing that equate to being a good leader? And if it does, Drury all that as well and is a more effective scorer.
Matt & Annoying Joe---
THANK YOU!!!!!
*Drury does
A "Captain" is all the things that everyone is saying here, but the most important thing is that he needs to INSPIRE his teammates to perform at their peak. I don't know that Drury does that and I don't think Gaborik or Callahan would either. I don't know that the Rangers have anyone on their current roster that fits the bill. Perhaps one of the young guys, but definitley not this season. Captains don't need to be the best player, but they need to be able to get players to go through a wall if that's what it takes to win. All the great ones have shown that in ANY sport. Let's hope they have someone that can fill the role in the next year or 2.
You don't see Drury play with fire, passion and emition every night....or even on nights when it's a BIG game.
Ok, he blocks shots and kills penalties. Cool.
* emotion * He never challenges the ref or looks pissed off.
So you're saying Drury plays without inspiration because he can control his facial expressions and is respectful of referees? Because he maintains an even keel throughout trying circumstances?
And that's what makes him an ill fit for leadership?
Hollweg is an AHL player. Please explain to me how that's an excellent comparison. There is no way anyone could compare Hollweg and Callahan in any facet of their games. Hollweg wasn't even a good forechecker, more often then not he would take a stupid penalty. You can say this or that about Callahan, but I think anyone that watches the way he plays would consider him a potential leader. And "chipping in" 20 goals would have put him among the team leaders on the blackhawks last year. Geez.
@Billdini - I watch every game and read this blog everyday so I know that I SCREAM at Drury through my TV when he looks like he doesn't want to be out there.
From what I see - and I can't see in the locker room - but I see him as a guy who is in the background, not in the front leading the charge emotionally.
Where was Drury when ATL was crushing the Rangers? Who was the only one to step up - Gaborik with 4 goals. That's him leading by example.
MARIAN GABORIK SUCKS LET"S GO ISLANDERS!
AnnoyingJoe,
For the qualifications that people offered for Callahan's leadership: his willingness to fight, hit and kill penalties, Hollweg is an adequate reference.
Callahan's 19 goals would have placed him 7th among Blackhawks forwards last year. As would have his GVT.
I think this is a lot of ado about something that doesn't actually affect how a team performs. The "C" is an honor, just as being named to an all star team is an honor. But in the end it's just a title.
It would be nice if Gaborik earned a stint with it. He seems to really try hard and he is clearly the team's best forward.
Or maybe Lundqvist should wear it. But of course goalies holding that title is basically unheard of.
if i was an isles fan, I would prefer to remain anonymous too.
@ Jack - I agree here. Dreary blocked some shots towards the end of the season...cool.
When the team is hot, Drury is playing usually flying. When the team is cold - Drury is usually cold too. He's not going all out.
p.s. The A's are for "Alternate Captains', not 'assistant captains'
to the numerous people who posted something to the effect of not "seeing" drury be captain...well unless you guys have a live feed that circles drury around the ice the entire game, we all miss 90% of whats being said on the ice...plus the fact no one really knows what goes on after the game...sure lundqvist got pissed and swore in an interview. what about after the cameras were off? what about in the dressing room during games?
the point is, no one here can fully judge how drury responds. just because it isnt shown on camera doesnt mean its not happening...
So now its gone from "excellent" to "adequate". Hollweg never killed penalties, couldn't forecheck effectivel,wasnt that great a fighter, and couldnt score for shit. So again, HOW ARE YOU COMPARING THE TWO. You said chipping in 20 goals or so, and the blackhawks had only one player with more than 30 goals last year. I think thats and adequate barometer.
i think a few of the guest commentators have touched on this topic so nothing ground breaking here.
i totally disagree with changing any of the letters. drury had off yr last yr but 1st 2 yrs were 20-25 goals and given proper pp time he could easily revert to those numbers. both him and cally are well thought of league wide hence the usa olympics participation. prospal played for torts before and is european so balances out the leadership
next in line would be staal - to get dman on leadership group then gabby especially when prospal moves on. that is our leadership group the 3 with the letters and staal and gabby.
AnnoyingJoe,
I love this. I'm comparing the attributes that were mentioned. And really does quality of fighting matter? Seriously?
And the Blackhawks had 6 players with 20 or more goals last year. 20 would not make Callahan one of their scoring leaders. He'd be 2nd line.
Andrew,
Well-voiced.
But we can tell from the lack of fireballs shooting out of his eyes. Drury just doesn't have the heart that Callahan does. And our collective ESP tells us the players don't respect him like they do our favorite, fiery, diminutive forward. We just know that little guy will break the 40 point barrier one day. And his hits are felt more than any other lightweight's bar none. Drury could only hope to carry the inspiration and drive that a certain homegrown winger from Rochester wears on his sleeve.
i think the talent level or lack thereof is a lot bigger issue than switching the letters
Dog, what your failing to understand is that Hollweg posseses none of those attributes that were mentioned, so it was a poor comparison and is sort of an insult to Callahan.
And what you also fail to understand is that Callahan plays a significant amount of time on the pk and still scored 22 and 19 goals over the past two years. You'd be better off closing the hockey almanac and watching the games.
But reading your last post it seems your coming around and seeing some of Mr. Callahans potential. Good dog.
@mrlonely
Fail
Kev deleted that post fast
am i glad i missed it?
AnnoyingJoe,
Hollweg hits, checks, and skates hard Exactly what was initially discussed.
I understand that Callahan plays a significant amount of time on the PK and still scored 22 and 19 goals. So let's look at just everyone's Even Strength numbers. Callahan scores .54 goals for every 60 ES minutes he's on the ice. That's good for 7th among Rangers who played at least 60 games last year. But let's throw Prust out because he played so few minutes. So Callahan's sixth on the Rangers in that department. On the Blackhawks where would .54 goals per 60 minutes land Cally? Last among forwards who played at least 60 games.
@joe
No it wasn't anything worth reading, some guy trying to get is "blog" site out there
DOG-
those stats are meaningless....what would Callys numbers look like if he played with the talent that chicago has?
Bottom line Hollweg is out of the NHL because he had no talent, and was a 5 minute major waiting to happen.
Fleisch,
Sure Hollweg is bad. He was an awful NHLer. But he did the same things that people were extolling as Captaincy virtues.
Those stats aren't meaningless. They just require context. For instance, did you know that Christopher Drury was the Rangers best scorer at Even Strength not named Gaborik? Or that Callahan was near the bottom of all of the forwards in shooting percentage? That he managed to score so many goals is a testament to how many shots he managed to get off [Second most to Gaborik]?
http://www.behindthenet.ca/2009/5_on_5_shots.php?sort=10&mingp=&mintoi=10&team=NYR&pos=
wow, your good at reciting the alamanc, but you need to think before you just rattle of stats.
Do you know how exhausting the pk is, especially at the level Callahan kills? and he is still productive. those stats are meaningless
And If Callahan was on the blackhawks, playing with all of those skilled players, he would certainly have had more goals.
Put the alamanac away and have an abstract thought.
No question...Gaborik's the man
But you have to ask yourself why Callahan takes so many shots. Is it cause hes firing from every angle whenever he gets the puck? No, he gets so many shots cause he. fights for loose pucks, beats men to the puck or he outworks them if they get there first. He earns every shot on goal.
Thats how you interpret that stat.
I wasn't faulting him for taking so many shots. I think it's all of the things you mentioned and an additional willingness to shoot above some of his teammates. I'd love to see him get his shooting % up, just like I'd love for guys like Drury and Anisimov to shoot more. But you can't fault the kid for trying.
How is Drury a proven champ?
- Stanley Cup Winner (5th on the team in points both regular season and playoffs)
- Olympic Medalist
- Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year 98-99)
- Hobey Baker award winner (NCAA league MVP)
- Tied for 5th all-time in playoff game winning goals, 1st among active players
- Tied for 4th all-time in playoff overtime goals
- Tied for 4th among all active players in playoff career goals
- Captain of the 06-07 Presidents' Trophy winning Buffalo Sabres
But ya, Drury has never proven himself.
"If I were an Islander fan I would prefer to remain anonymous too". Wow, keep using that same joke over and over again. LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!! GABORIK IS A JOKE!!
@Brett - Let me clarify: How has Drury proven himself as a NEW YORK RANGER?
i believe drury led team in goals and gwg his 1st yr here. 2nd yr scored 20 while playing major pk and face offs in d zone and blocking shots. off yr last yr
as the song goes two out of 3 aint bad
@LI Joe - Yes but...ok, maybe you have a point.
However, I guess my point is that I don't see the NYR React to him.
@ Andrew 794: I know we can't know how he leads off the ice...but what I do know is that when the team is flat, and they go back into the dressing room after a period and come back out with the same flatness, the Captain has not done his job.
I'm loving the comments! (except from Islander fans)
Brett, Don't forget the Little League World Series
Damn, it's heating up in here.
Drury Blows.
is that our resident orthepedist/ wendys worker?
No, that actually wasn't lol. You should check my last post on the other article tho. You might learn something.
No, that actually wasn't lol. You should check my last post on the other article tho. You might learn something.
Damn, forgot about the Little League World Series!
He's averaged 20 goals a year so far in three seasons. He has not been a top tier player, especially a player worth his contract.
But the fact remains Chris Drury is the leader of that team, he will be until he leaves, and I'm fine with that.
Since when is it totally up to the Captain to motivate the team when they are flat....o the players themselves have to motivate themselves....doesnt the coaching staff take responsibility in this as well.....
Drury is our Captain, I think he is the best guy on the team right now for the job and would change it....
I love the debates, but lets face it, Mark Messier could have been the Captain of the tem last year and they wouldnt have won the Stanley Cup....
Lets why they play the game and we watch it...to win the Stanley Cup, not just make the playoffs!!!
I think Drury more than earned the C. He should remain the captain not because there is no one else (see list of accomplishments). He leads this team with poise, grace, selflessness and heart. He is extremely respected around the leaugue, Im sure the rest of the team does too. Just because he is composed during the games doesn't mean we can judge his leadership or apparent lack there of.
AnnoyingJoe... you win.
Your my favorite poster.
@Fliech - if Redden can't motivate himself to trim those bushy eyebrows, he's not gonna motivate himself to play harder.
ivaNYRicov - Thanks! common sense always wins.
Not sure if I should be excited about the 74 comments or insulted that they're about a post I didn't write.
Great action everyone. I'm really enjoying the back and forth.
Dog...
Just to clarify,
1. No Goalie can wear a "C"
2. Prospal and Roszival both wore a "A" by the end of the season.
So that's a neck for you.
And also I think you are absolutely crazy for thinking that Cally isn't a potential leader for the team you say your a fan of. Your comments in regards to Callahan are insulting to him. Comparing Ryan Hollweg, the player witch as done nothing but score a total of 5 goals with the Rangers, to Callahan, is completely impractical. Cally is an extremely talented player. A tough, forchecking, penalty killer, who can "Chip in" goals like himself is unheard of. Dog, you have lost your mind.
Also, you have got to stop with the bizarre stats. Honestly, my Care-o-meter about the goals/Even strength minutes played, is running a little low. My suggestion to you is to sit down, and watch some games this year, and you will see that Ryan Callahan, a player which you have called overrated, is clearly a potential leader for the squad. Callahan... overrated? Unbelievable.
Join the "Marian Gaborik for Captain Facebook Group" here:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32529739&id=17301190#!/group.php?gid=138519686187436
So I will see all 2 of you (Anonymous #2 and Jack) over there...
:)
well i certainly won't join that group
Bauer,
Thanks for pointing out that Prospal and Rozsival combined to wear an A last season.
Of course Lundqvist can't wear a "C." That was my point. That doesn't mean he can't lead and it doesn't mean he can't be a captain.
I never said Callahan isn't a potential leader of the team. To the contrary, I think he could be. I just don't think anything mentioned makes him any better of a candidate than several guys on the roster: Dubinsky, Drury, Gaborik, Lundqvist, for instance.
"A tough, forchecking, penalty killer, who can "Chip in" goals like himself is unheard of."
Surely you must be joking. A whole squad of forwards in Chicago would disagree with you. As would a couple lines in Detroit, San Jose, Philadelphia, Vancouver, etc. Don't mistake a lack of talent on the Rangers as exemplary for a lack of ability in the NHL.
Also you have got to stop with thinking that Goals divided by TOI is a bizarre stat. It's not. Neither is shots, nor shooting percentage.
And I do watch anywhere from 75-80 Rangers regular season games a year. But I don't close my mind to statistics as well and I sure as hell do not let my fanaticism for the Rangers cloud my mind to believe that Callahan is an NHL superstar. He's a very solid 2nd or 3rd line forward. But there actually are many of those in the league (30 * 4 = 120 if we're only counting wingers).
I am sorry if I offended your care-bear-iness or whatever it is you're talking about.
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