Reports earlier this week indicated that the New York Rangers may be looking to ship out captain and unrestricted free agent-to-be Ryan Callahan sometime before the NHL trade deadline on March 5 if the sides can't work out an extension, and the latest rumors indicate that the Blueshirts may be looking to deal Callahan to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Chris Stewart.
The Rangers recently dealt up-and-down defenseman Michael Del Zotto to the Nashville Predators for defenseman Kevin Klein and that trade may just be a sign of things to come.
Reports earlier this week indicated that the Rangers were looking to deal Callahan and possibly even defenseman Dan Girardi, as both are just two of many players that are about to be free agents once the 2013-14 season comes to a close.
It was uncertain whether or not the Rangers talks of possibly dealing Callahan and Girardi was just a ploy to heat up negotiations ahead of the roster freeze for the Olympic break, but with the deadline looming just a week after the NHL returns to action, it seems that the Rangers--at least as far as Callahan is concerned--are serious about making a deal.
TSN's Darren Dreger took to Twitter Friday morning and said that there is potentially interest in the Rangers to score a deal with St. Louis for Stewart:
Western Conf teams suggest the Rangers are gathering intel on Chris Stewart. Callahan for Stewart would be a sweet deal for the Blues.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 31, 2014
Unlike Callahan, Stewart has another year left on his deal after this season, which could prompt the Rangers to make a move. Callahan may thrive under Ken Hitchcock's system after somewhat struggling to find his game when making the transition from coach John Tortorella to Alain Vigneault this season.
Callahan, 28, has dealt with a few injury setbacks this year and has just 20 points in 38 games off of nine goals and 11 assists, but the captain gives his heart and soul to the team, fearlessly blocking shots and killing off penalties.
In fact, it is that dedication and team-first attitude that will make it so hard for the Rangers to have the finances to retain Callahan when the season ends, which is what has led to the trade speculation.
Stewart, 26, has 25 points off of 15 goals and 10 assists thus far this season, and could fit well into the Rangers' system.
New York has turned it around since early struggles and currently sits in second place in the Metropolitan Division (sixth in the Eastern Conference) with a 29-23-3 record and 61 points while St. Louis is second in the Central Division (third in the Western Conference) with a 36-11-5 record and 77 points.
It's unknown if the trade will go through, but it will be an interesting two months on Broadway.
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