Rangers Sign Callahan and Set the Market

by David Oleksy on Jul 14, 2009 12:07 AM EDT

The New York Rangers re-signed restricted free agent Ryan Callahan to a two-year $4.6 million contract on Monday night. Callahan is set to earn $2.2 million this season and $2.4 million next season.

From the Rangers Website...

Callahan, 24, established career-highs in games played (81), goals (22), assists (18), points (40), and penalty minutes (45) last season. He also won the Steven McDonald Award, voted by the fans as the player who performs "above and beyond the call of duty."

This was the third season of his career but the first season where he made an impact with the Rangers. He jumped from 8 goals in 2007-2008 up to 22 this past season. It is a bit surprising that the Rangers paid so much for a player that has only had one good season in the NHL.

His numbers are almost identical to those of Drew Stafford, in fact they are a little bit lower than Stafford's numbers. This will be a contract that Stafford and his agent will point to when they try to get a deal done with the Sabres.

If you had ideas that Stafford would sign for $2 million or less than think again. There is no way that Callahan signs for $2.3 million per season and Stafford makes only $2 million. Stafford had career highs this season with 20 goals and 45 points, stats that are similar to those of Callahan. Stafford will argue that he is a more established player than Callahan because he has put up decent numbers for three seasons while Callahan had a breakout year.

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
2006 - Ryan Callahan	14	4	2	6	5	9	0	0	1	40
2007 - Ryan Callahan	52	8	5	13	7	31	0	1	1	92
2008 - Ryan Callahan	81	22	18	40	7	45	2	1	1	237	9.3

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2006 - Drew Stafford	41	13	14	27	5	33	3	3	0	67
2007 - Drew Stafford	64	16	22	38	3	51	1	5	0	103
2008 - Drew Stafford	79	20	25	45	3	29	9	0	2	183	10.9

Based on the above stats you have to figure that Stafford will get somewhere in the range of $2.75-$3 million per season. He has scored 49 goals in his first three seasons and he figures to get even better as he matures as a player.

It appears that once again Glen Sather may have slightly over paid and now the Sabres will have to pay for it. This contract may also figure into Clarke MacArthur's arbitration hearing. MacArthur is in is third season and has 28 career goals in comparison to Callahan with 34. MacArthur is likely to make less Than $2 million per season but a contract of $1.5 per season is not out of the question.

The contract seem pretty reasonable but will the Sabres be able to afford them? What are the chances that both Stafford and MacArthur are both still in Buffalo when the season starts?

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Comments

Callahan offers a lot more than Stafford in that he kills penalties and was top 5 in the unofficial stat of hits this past season. However, he doesn’t have as much offensive upside. His offensive game is more like a better Paille, only I think Callahan can be more of a 2nd line player than a 3rd line player. Callahan played above either of those lines a lot this year due to Rangers’ poor winger situation, but he really blossomed with Tortorella there, and again his defensive skills are very good. He’s a high spirit player. Even with the addition of a bunch of new talented wingers, Callahan means a LOT to the Rangers.
Still, anyone who thought Stafford would be signed under $2 million to begin with was just thinking wishfully.

by goobermaphone on Jul 14, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

perfect example of why not to use points to compare them.

Callahan was also 4th in the league with 265 hits and is a great two way player and penalty killer. Stafford is none of those things. While I do think Stafford has more long term offensive potential, there isn’t that big of a short term difference. Callahan flourished under Tortorella’s new system with 17 points in 21 games. Bottom line is Callahan is a much better and more valuable player right now.

Stafford won’t make as much as Callahan, and a 2 year deal where he makes about a combined $4 million is still likely.

by SabreBowie on Jul 14, 2009 7:06 PM EDT reply actions