God, I love these moments in trade periods during the NHL seasons…there is nothing more exciting than seeing what your favorite team(s) move or don’t move.
The one that actually made me say “Holy shit” out loud to co-workers was the New York Rangers trading Ryan Callahan to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Martin St. Louis.
There were rumors that Callahan might be traded but he was also playing well for the team so those rumors were more than likely to be a post-season trade (or so the professional hockey writers, announcers, etc felt). As for St. Louis, it wasn’t a secret he wanted to be traded especially after being initially snubbed by his GM Steve Yzerman to play for Team Canada during the 2014 Olympics.
Callahan – possibility.
St. Louis – it was coming, just where he would land, no one knew.
I would have never guessed these two teams would have traded captains. I would not have even guessed that St. Louis would want to play for the Rangers, but I’m no expert, just a fan who listens/reads the trades and such as it pertains to my favorite teams or players that I like.
As a Rangers fan, I am happy to see Martin St. Louis were the Blueshirt. Callahan was a good player and a solid player, but I always felt he kind of played like former NYR captain, Chris Drury. Lackadaisical. Sometimes Callahan’s “A” game was on and sometimes it was as if he was anywhere other than on the ice. I never felt Callahan was always focused on the game. Again, that’s my opinion.
Even though I am a Rangers fan, I know Martin St. Louis and his game. You kind of have to be half assed hockey fan to not know St. Louis and his passion for the game. When I see St. Louis on the ice, you as a spectator, fan, or player know he’s on the ice. There is no doubt his presence is there and you know where his head is at: IN THE GAME.
I sent a text to my fellow Rangers friend, JEO* and he replied “Eh. I didn’t want such an old player.”
First, I balked and thought, well, goddamn that’s my age. I’m not old! The difference is that Martin St. Louis is a 38-year-old hockey specimen that is freaking amazing this year. Is he the perfect human like Niklas Lidstrom is know for? No, but he’s damn near close.
*not his real name