For the second time in a week the New York Rangers came
within 24 hours of having an arbitration hearing with one of their key young
players. Thankfully for all involved
both of those situations ended with the long-term contracts that will keep
Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan with the Rangers for four and three years
respectively. The piece of Callahan’s
contract that sparked the most conversation in the initial reactions was about
the length being only three years. The
length is somewhat surprising given his importance to the Rangers, but there
are reasons on both sides why three years is perfect for both sides to get what
they want from the deal.
Having the deal last three seasons gives the Rangers
security in having a player who epitomizes exactly the type of team the Rangers
want to be around for a significant amount of time. The deal is more cap friendly than if they
had gone with a one-year deal and had to renegotiate next summer and avoids the
PR nightmare that would have ensued if they had to take the presumed captain to
arbitration to get a deal. Having Callahan locked in at a reasonable rate also allows more certainty in terms of the salary cap. The key
benefit to the deal being three years for New York is about the way Callahan
plays and seeing what toll the next three seasons will take on his ability to
sustain his level.
Ryan Callahan defines what coach John Tortorella wants form
every player in the organization in how he sacrifices for the team. The blocked shots, hits, energy and complete
disregard for his own body is what makes Callahan the player he is, but it also
has costs. Callahan is never going to be
a player that can rely mainly on natural skill to succeed at the NHL level, so
he needs to continue to play the same style that has gotten him to this point. The problem is that the physical abuse his
body takes on a nightly basis has a cumulative toll down the road even beyond
the injuries he may sustain in a season.
Three years allows the Rangers to somewhat hedge against any decline
caused by that cumulative effect and makes Callahan continue to earn his money
each season.
From Callahan’s perspective, going for three years is a move
that allows him to get paid now and still be young enough, 29, to garner
significant dollars in unrestricted free agency at the end of his term. If Callahan can continue to play the style
that made him an NHL regular and
show the same level of offense he did last season, then there is no denying he
will another big contract when this one expires. First in line will be the Rangers as they will have plenty of cap space and a keen desire to continue have him in a Blueshirt sweater.
Callahan could have gotten more money both in sheer dollars
and average salary and the Rangers could have gotten more years guaranteed with
a key contributor to their championship hopes, but each side weighed the costs
and benefits of both. In the end, the two
sides settle on a medium term of three years and that is perfect length for both as the Rangers hedge against decline
while Callahan gives himself even more chances to prove it and earn another
lucrative contract..
