Recap: Ryan Callahan on The Michael Kay Show with Don La Greca
By Adam Rotter | Mar 13, 2014 | 10:34AM
Ryan Callahan joined the Michael Kay Show Yesterday and chatted with Don La GrecaCallahan, in his interview with La Greca, said:
- Did you ever think you would be traded, "it's not something that you are thinking about or think will happen but I knew as my contract negotiations went on and we got close to the deadline I knew it was a possibility."
- Do you have any regrets with how things were handled, "I thought we handled it the way we wanted to. We wanted to get a deal done but we couldn't find one that worked for both sides and now I find myself in Tampa and I couldn't find myself happier with how the organization is treating me and my teammates down here."
- On his linemates in Tampa, "It seems like me and Filppula have been together a lot and we were with Palat for a few games here and it seems like we are finding some chemistry right away. There is an adjustment period getting used to playing with guys but through two games it seems like it has been clicking a bit for us.
- Did you understand how much you meant to this fan base, "yea, I did. It's hard to grasp totally what you meant but in talking to fans at different events or on the streets and how I was treated at MSG it was a pretty good feeling and that feeling was mutual. I loved the fans in NY they embraced me right from the start and I couldn't say anything better about the fans there, it's an amazing place to play and I thank them for the 7/8 years that I had there."
- On the sense of the locker room after his trade, "it's tough. A lot of those guys I kind of grew up with and we have gone through the organization together. It's hard to leave guys like that. Even management, I have been there so long that you become good friends with those people and it's tough to leave a situation like that."
- Are bridges burned/would you come back to the Rangers, "You keep all doors open during the negotiation and how I left I have no bad feelings towards the Rangers or how they treated me. I have nothing but respect for them but right now I am not too worried about that and just concentrating on Tampa and trying to get a playoff spot here and if things don't work out here and I got to UFA then we will worry about it then."
- Is there a blow to your ego when the team says that they don't think you are worth the money you are asking for, "it's hard, it's definitely a tough pill to swallow. Our intention was to get something done with New York and that was ultimately where I wanted to be and wanted to stay and you have toe realize that it's part of the business and nothing personal and everything they have said to me since leaving there is that they thought everything of me as a player and a person and that is what I have to take out of it."
- Did you feel welcomed in the Tampa locker room, "I definitely did. It's a tough place to go into knowing everything Marty has done for this organization and being captain here. The team was great to me, the players were great to me and by no means was I coming in here trying to replace Marty and what he did for this team. I was just coming in to do what I can do on and off the ice to help them win and if you go in with that understanding you will be okay."
- Do you think Tampa has as good a chance to win as the Rangers, "I don't see why not. We are right there in the standings with NY and the rest of the East and from the few games I have played here it's a talented group with good goaltending and it's gonna be a tight playoff race and I think that is very similar to what is going on in NY."
- Did your value go down because of the coaching change, "I didn't feel that way, that my value went done. From speaking with the coaches and management they still valued me the same but this is part of the business and sometimes both sides can't agree on a contract and this is what happens."
- What stands out about playing in NY, "Too many, I loved my time in NY and playing in front of those fans at the Garden. The biggest thing that I will take out of NY is the friendships I made and working with the staff and playing with the players there."
- Was there anybody that you were close to, "Me and Girardi are pretty close, we played in Guelph together, we grew up in the organization. Our wives are pretty good friends. It's tough to leave him. Staal is the same thing, we kind of grew up together but this is something that happens in our sport and it's unfortunate."
- Are you confident that the money you are seeking will be out there, "we will have to wait and see. Right now I am not worrying about that, I am worrying about playing and that is something that my agent handles and if you start letting that stuff creep into your head then you won't be able to perform on the ice."
- What happened in Sochi, "It was a tough rebound especially coming at it the next day. Against Finland I thought we had a good first period and were all over them early on and they end up scoring 2 quick in the second and we couldn't respond to it."
- Do you have a thought on whether the NHL will send players to South Korea, "I don't to be honest with you. I haven't thought either way about it but as a player it's a pretty special to represent your country in the Olympics and even if I am not there I would be pretty disappointed if the NHL players aren't there."
- Did you play as if it would be your last chance, "no, the first time I played I thought maybe it would be the last chance. You don't know when you will get the opportunity or with injuries and guys playing or if you are going to go or not as an NHL player and it's something that you don't take for granted."
- "New York Ranger fans, thanks for all your support and it was a pleasure playing in front of you."
Tags: Ryan Callahan, Adam Rotter
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