The New York Rangers worked all the way up to the trade deadline date but ultimately, did not give Ryan Callahan the news he wanted to hear—captain Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning is now a New York Ranger.
Rochester native Ryan Callahan has played for the New York team for seven years—his entire NHL career. If it were up to him and his terms, he’d be a part of the team forever. The Rangers came close to resigning the team’s beloved Captain but felt they’d get more from a trade for 39-year-old Martin St. Louis for just over $5 million.
Aside from captain for captain trade, Tampa Bay gets a first round pick in 2015 and a second round pick in 2014, according to CBS Sports
After St. Louis wasn’t picked to enter the Olympics for team Canada, he asked to be traded, as reported by SB Nation. He signed on with the Rangers with one condition—to be able to spend his off-season at home in Greenwhich, Conn.
Orignally, Callahan asked for a seven-year contract of over $6 million but once those numbers dropped, the Rangers came real close resigning. The trade made most sense—Callahan’s injuries didn’t help his cause while St. Louis would automatically become the best forward on the team.
The biggest assimilation won’t be for St. Louis, it will be for the rest of the team. The Blueshirts must say goodbye to their captain and the heart and soul of the team they’ve become so comfortable with.
Hopefully former Tampa Bay teammate, Brad Richards can help St. Louis join the team with ease during the loss of their captain.
