Sunday, September 7, 2008

Callahan Named Breakthrough Player

Adam Schwartz at NHL.com names his top Breakout Players for the 2008-2009 season, including Ryan Callahan...

Ryan Callahan, New York Rangers -- In 2006-07 Callahan played 14 NHL games and 60 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL, while last season Callahan played 52 games with the Rangers and just 11 with the Wolf Pack.Callahan had a strong postseason with the Rangers, totaling 2 goals and 4 points in 10 games. After playing an average of 12:22 during the regular season, Callahan saw an average 15:55 of ice time per game in the playoffs, illustrating the trust Rangers management has in him.

...as I said the other day, Callahan is a guy who will do anything to win. Hit, fight, score, forecheck. You name he does it. Having said that, I don't think he's a candidate to be a breakout player. I don't see him scoring more than 20 goals.

...and just because I don't think he'll be a breakout player doesn't mean I don't think he is important to this team. Quite the contrary. Without him, especially with the departure of Avery, this team would have no spark plug. He'll be one of the more important players on the team this year.

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