Former Rangers captain and rookie NHL Network analyst Ryan Callahan talks with The Post’s Michael Blinn about the Rangers’ surprising season, trade-deadline possibilities and going on camera at age 34 after suffering a career-ending back injury.
Q: What’s been the biggest surprise about the Rangers this season?
A: I don’t think they expected to have the early success they’ve had this year coming into this season. (Adam) Fox back there has been a really good surprise for them. (Tony) DeAngelo, how he’s stepped in and how he’s played this year, it seems like he bounced around a little bit there, in and out of the lineup. It seems like he’s found his niche there and is playing well. I think they’re getting offense from the D and overall, the surprise is just how well they’re doing and find themselves pretty close to a playoff picture. They’re right in that hunt.
Q: What do you see the team doing with Chris Kreider, especially with the trade deadline coming up (Feb. 24)?
A: I think that’s going to be a hot topic. Do you sign him and bring him along and have him be part of this retool, or are you at the point where you trade him away and get some assets? I think it’s a very tough decision. I can see both ways working for the Rangers. He’s turned into a pretty good leader with some of those young guys. If you trade him, you know you’re going to get some good draft picks or prospects that are going to help the team.
Q: You’ve got a kid in Kaapo Kakko who’s wearing your old number. Is that weird, and how does he stack up against Jack Hughes?
A: I’ve gotten used to a Rangers sweater with a “24” on it and “Callahan” not on the back of it. I always look at that number and think it’s me. Not a big deal there. Both are very good, dynamic players, but I think Kakko right now has that advantage of playing against men before. Adjusting to the league is a little easier that way. The way he’s built is ahead of Hughes to maintain that 82-game grind that can wear on you.
Q: Which of the three area teams is most likely to win the Stanley Cup next, and why?
A: I think the easy pick right now is the Islanders. They’re one of the top teams in the league, it seems like everybody is on the same page, everybody’s doing the same thing, from the first line to the fourth line. They’re getting great goaltending. If I had to pick one team, who’s going to win it first, the Islanders are clear-cut in the lead, but who knows what’s going to happen?
Q: What do you think has been your biggest challenge so far, going from playing to TV?
A: Being critical of guys I’ve played with. Finding the right way to tell a guy that maybe you’re not in the right position or a guy misses a pass or misses a play, without being too critical. I think there’s a right way and a wrong way to send that message to the fans. You’re buddies with a lot of these guys, so you don’t want to get on air and expose their mistakes. At the end of the day, they’re pros and they realize when they make those mistakes.