So Who Fills Callahan's Line-up Spot?
First off, Jim Cerny at nyrangers.com reports that there is no update on Ryan Callahan's shoulder, however, news should be available today. Have to figure even best case senario, he's out a couple of weeks.
Sadly, we already know from experience that an extended loss of Callahan will be a huge blow to the Rangers line-up and locker room. Having said that, there are more than enough veterans on this team to make-up for Callahan's leadership, so I'm far more concerned that with the Rangers depth issues, they're going to have a hard time even filling his line-up spot. I mean, does anyone really want to see Gilroy on the wing. Although Bickel is rested after his whopping 1:52 seconds of ice time last night, so he'd be fresh for a move to forward.
The obvious candidate is Chris Kreider, but there are serious questions regarding his foot injury as well as his early season struggles. With Kreider not even practicing yet, it's not inconceivable to think he won't be available for at least a week and that's without a potential conditioning stint in Hartford.
Meanwhile, Cerny puts to bed any thoughts we might have about the Rangers recalling some of their notable prospects by noting that J.T. Miller, at age 19, is not ready; Marek Hrivik has a concussion; and Ryan Bourque is also injured and not ready.
So now what? Any chance Sean Avery is interested in fishing his skates out of the Hudson River?
In all seriousness, you all saw the free agent list I posted on the blog yesterday. Not exactly Wayne Gretzky or Gordie Howe available.
The most likely scenario is bringing up a guy like Kris Newbury, Brandon Segal or newcomer Brandon Mashinter to bridge the gap until Kreider is ready and then hope and pray Callahan is only out a couple of weeks.
BTW, not sure I've ever seen an MSG crowd as stunned as they were after the Callahan injury. You could hear a pin drop during the ensuing faceoff.
Here's video of the injury...
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07`08` when they let Aves play 57 games he got 33 points(2 of them pp goals and 4 of them game winning goals) and had a shot % of 12...he was always good at winning the battles for the puck in the corners and behind the net and creating scoring chances I would have kept him over Rupp anyday...he had good hockey sense and they could sure use him now .
In terms of leadership, any member of the top line can take over. In terms of physical replacement, Benn Ferriero. He plays a similar style and is the same height and weight as Cally. Probably doesn't have the same scoring capabilities, but he appears to be a strong skater on the forecheck. In an ideal world, it should be someone else on the team, but we have too many guys not being themselves, let alone being someone else, in this case, Cally.
Actually I think the best option was mistakenly mentioned in the article...Gretzky is an UFA...sign him up...even at his age I'm confident he can score more goals than any of the alternatives....at the very least I bet he can setup dish the puck to Gaborik like a boss!
@LanceGold1 I liked the Haley pickup this offseason, but he must be playing terrible that he's been passed over numerous times already. Plus with Rupp, Asham and Bickel already on the roster I think the Rangers have enough tough guys who do nothing.
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Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, captain for a captain. When we see the Flyers in March someone needs to take Giroux to the woodshed.
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You can't blame Talbot as it was a freak accident during the tussle. I think everyone needs to relax until we get an official report on Callahan.
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@ShreddyMercury Seemed to me that Talbot handled it perfectly, actually - it was obviously an accident (we see guys pulling at each other like that in fights all the time), and he backed off as soon as he realized that Callahan was really hurt.
I'm not one to defend Philly or its players.... ever.... but, I don't blame Talbot at all.
I was really disappointed that there was no retribution after the Callahan injury. I know Talbot wasn't on the ice much (or at all) afterwards, but someone needs to send a message that you don't mess with your captain. It sure looked like Talbot yanked his arm intentionally... though I don't expect Shannahan to do anything about it...
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@rustybaum While Talbot did pull shoulder out, I don't think that was his intention. I actually give him credit for backing-ff when he noticed Callahan was injured.
@KevinDeLury I see that, but at the same time, I don't think there was any reason for him to grab his arm and yank it the way he did. Regardless. Your captain gets hurt, you make a statement that it's not okay.
@rustybaum @KevinDeLury Cally tried to up-end Talbot first by grabbing his pants, which could have injured Talbot. It was a freak injury, Talbot was just trying to keep from getting punched, and it didn't warrant any "retaliation".
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Bottom line, you're not going to replace Cally. It will take 2 or 3 people to step up to minimize his loss. If guys like Stepan, Hags, and Boyle can start contributing offensively, the loss of Cally won't be as painful. There's no need for panic moves at this point, it's still only 6 games in and some of the secondary guys look to be just starting to come around.
@gravey94 I think Pyatt gets moved up to that line and I'm completely confident with his play. But ya that 3rd line has to make up for the loss. Like you said don't panic, they just need to elevate their play. If they can get through this injury, we will be that much better for it once Cally comes back.
I might be the only one - call me crazy, but I would not mind seeing Gilroy on the wing. He has good offensive skills and is a defensive liability. If you ask me, I think he may be better suited to play as a forward than a defenseman. Anyone agree with me?
@HJB91 You might be right, but not sure there's time for on the job training. Not like it matters tho, Torts only plays the 12th forward 2 minutes a night.
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@slapshot13j @cb1 Ortmeyer actually just signed with the Missouri Mavericks of the Central Hockey League: http://www.missourimavericks.com/news-stats/news/859-mavs-sign-nhl-veteran-jed-ortmeyer-d-man-jp-testwuide.html
@slapshot13j Trust me, I'd love to see Miller but Cerny says he's not ready and he obviously has a good pulse of what the organization is thinking.
@KevinDeLury @slapshot13j I really like Ferriero so far. Also he looks like Johnny Damon if he was a Cro-mag. And that's saying a lot cause Johnny Damon looks like a Cro-mag!
@KevinDeLury @slapshot13j I have a major issue with Zucc's size. I just can't get over it. It's such a shame he's not atleast 5'11. I don't know if there's a more gifted guy in one area of life who is also so short changed in another area...no pun intended.
@slapshot13j @KevinDeLury Kolarik had two goals in AHL All Star Game the other night, but Ferriero looks like a great fit in Torts' system right now.
@slapshot13j @KevinDeLury Someone just mentioned Zucc to me on Twitter. Hadn't thought about him as an option. Definite possibility, but I think a final resort.
@KevinDeLury honestly. How the hell does Jim Cerny know if he is ready. The only one that knows of he is ready is Jt miller. I think he performed on the world stage in juniors, and people have come up much younger like skinner on Carolina. You have 5 games before you have to cut a year off his rookie contract. So why not give him a shot and just ask him to work hard and play defense. Almost like a tryout, like every other team has done early on.
@slapshot13j @KevinDeLury Jim is around both Rangers and Whale so he definitely has a better idea of where Miller is than you or me.
