Should the Canucks Pursue Ryan Callahan?

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The Vancouver Canucks are struggling to score goals.  Their top guns Daniel Sedin, Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows, and Henrik Sedin all just cannot find the back of the net these days.  These players have a combined two goals in the last ten games - both from Ryan Kesler.

Canucks nation is on edge because the team is on the brink of not being in playoff contention.  The month of January was an absolute disaster with the Canucks posting a 4-9-2 record.  The four wins came against St Louis, Calgary, Edmonton, and Phoenix.  Only St. Louis is a playoff contender at the moment, while all the other teams are out of the playoff race.

A hot name that has come up in recent trade rumors is Rangers Captain Ryan Callahan.  He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.  He will garner tons of interest from around the league as he is a well respected player.

The 28 year old Rochester, NY native is known for his grit, leadership, and physical play.  He is a scrappy player who likes to get under the opponents' skin.  Callahan will take part in the Olympics and will be on the US roster.  He has 130 goals in over 400 games, all with the New York Rangers.

The New York Rangers are in a bind with Ryan Callahan.  Callahan's contract demands are seeking a long term extension to stay in the Big Apple.  Callahan is seeking somewhere in the neighborhood of a seven-year contract, averaging over $6 million per season.  The Rangers also have another big unrestricted free agent to sign in defensemen Dan Girardi.  Girardi is seeking a new contract that is a six-year deal, worth somewhere in the $5.5 million range.

Callahan has had three 20+ goal seasons and has reached the 50+ point plateau once.  Canucks coach John Tortorella developed a great relationship with Callahan while he was coaching in New York.

Would Cally Help the Canucks?

I do not believe that Ryan Callahan would help the Canucks.  The Canucks are having issues scoring, but Callahan is a player the Canucks already have.  The Canucks are full of grinding type players, and do not have a lot of players with great shots or lots of skill.

I believe Callahan could be on the decline.  He reminds me of last summer's David Clarkson, who signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Callahan has to depend on others to be able to score the majority of his goals.

The Canucks need a bonafide shooter.  They are a team that is desperate for an injection of skill, especially in the skills competitions.  They need to get younger, while Callahan is middle aged.  The Canucks need a Jeff Carter type player - someone with a big body, a big shot, and lots of skill.  Evander Kane would be a great acquisition for the Canucks.  I would also accept Ryan O'Reilly from the Avalanche if they are really thinking about trading him.