The NHL trade deadline is still a ways off, but with the Winter Olympics break coming up it serves as a second date of sorts and names like Ryan Callahan, Thomas Vanek, Dan Girardi and Ryan Miller could get moved and a team like the Columbus Blue Jackets could get involved, as NY reportedly wants forward Chris Stewart.
The trade talk comes as the NY Rangers are playing well and it includes their captain in Callahan after the team and the star have had issues coming to an agreement on a contract extension. The Rangers would like to keep Callahan as well as Girardi, but they are working on getting deals that won't hurt the cap too much and as the two sides talk it is looking more and more likely that a trade will go down. According to ESPN New York, the Rangers are continuing to speak with Callahan, but if things do not progress over the next week or so, that could mean a deal involving the Rangers captain.
The 28 year old reportedly wants a seven year deal from the team and near $6 million per season and those numbers are why the Rangers are entertaining trade talks. The team has high priced talent in Brad Richards, Rick Nash and the newly signed Henrik Lundqvist and while they want to keep their captain, the pure math may stop that from happening. The star is set to be an unrestricted free agent and the Rangers could end up losing him for nothing and one deal they might explore is with the Columbus Blue Jackets for Chris Stewart, as the team has shown interest in him and that could be beneficial for both sides.
Callahan scored 29 goals two seasons ago and is a great leader and scorer, but this season he has been dealing with injuries and he has just nine goals in under 40 games and his age is an issue if he wants a contract for that long. The team is also dealing with Girardi and his future and he is looking to get a new deal as well before becoming a free agent. Girardi has 15 points this season and he is a solid player as well and he could be involved in a deal with Callahan as well.
The Blues have been mentioned as a team that Ryan Miller could get dealt to and Thomas Vanek's name has come up as well with the Islanders. According to ESPN.com, Vanek could get moved from the Islanders after seeking a new deal and he is currently playing on a seven-year, $50 million deal and will want something in that wheelhouse. The deadline is not until March 5 and the freeze comes this week for teams as their players get ready to either take a break or head to Sochi for the Olympics.