With Chris Drury out of the picture, the attention will now turn to his probable successor as captain, Ryan Callahan.

At this point in his career, Drury is no longer more than a figurehead of years gone by in the NHL.  Callahan, on the other hand, would be the prototypical lead-by example type that might fit perfectly with this young up-and-coming team.

Callahan missed time this season with two broken bones, but otherwise he had a banner year and set career highs across the board.

The right winger dispelled the notion that he was a just a grinder and took pride in the period in which the country recognized that Callahan was actually a talented player.  He became the Rangers’ offensive leader while still maintaining his typical hustling play in all situations.

The Rangers have committed to their core young players over the last couple of years and rewarding the first of them to lead the new wave makes lots of sense.  The youngsters already on the NHL squad and the prospects on the way are being trained to play the new Rangers’ style and having a model like Callahan should keep New York on track.

- Of course, if speculation from the Sporting News’ Craig Custance is accurate, the Rangers should be worried.  Custance suggests that Callahan, an RFA, could be a prime target for an offer sheet, especially if the Rangers quickly tie up a lot of money in Brad Richards.  Offer sheets are always a possibility, but the Rangers won’t allow Callahan to go anywhere.  Floating the possibility is part of agent Steve Bartlett’s job, designed to put pressure on the Blueshirts.  But the Rangers want Callahan and he wants the Rangers, so a deal is going to get done.  On the remote possibility that Callahan does sign a sheet, the Rangers will match, it’s as simple as that.

- Over at TheHockeyNews.com ISS head scout Ross MacLean picked his favorite selections from each round of the 2011 NHL Draft.  Right Wing Shane McColgan was MacLean’s pick in the fifth round as the tiny Californian continues to be mentioned as a potential steal.  MacLean said, “Seth Ambroz's fall to the fifth round is certainly worth mentioning, but it really overshadowed another gifted American's slide. McColgan has deceptively good offensive skills and that is saying a lot for those who have watched him dazzle with the puck. McColgan's stock seemed to drop when he wasn't able to put up jaw-dropping numbers in the Western League. Still, he can produce and proved it during the playoffs with 19 points in 10 games. Adding a player of this skill level does not happen often in the fifth round and the New York Rangers will certainly enjoy the offensive depth it will create for them.”

- After the New York Islanders traded a fourth-rounder for Christian Ehrhoff and couldn’t sign him to a deal, the team dealt Ehrhoff to Buffalo for a replacement fourth-rounder.  Ehrhoff is likely to wait until the market develops for him as Friday roles along, but it’s noteworthy that Buffalo is interested.  If the Sabres pony up the $5+ million it takes to ink Ehrhoff, that’s a big chunk of change subtracted from the team’s budget next year and it lowers Buffalo’s chances at landing Brad Richards.

Looking Ahead to 2011-2012:

Rangers Land Tim Erixon: What Does It Mean?

More Erixon Trade Fallout >

What The Rangers Can Learn From The Bruins > 

Rangers Will Face Stiff Competition In The East In 2011-2012 >

What If Christian Thomas Makes The Rangers Next Year?

Why Callahan Would Make A Good Captain >

Free Agency:

Plan A: Sign Brad Richards >

Plan B: Trade For A Top Center >

Plan C: Stick With The Status Quo At Center >

Plan D: Add An Offensive Winger >

Plan E: Sign An Impact Veteran UFA Defenseman >

2011 Draft:

Mid-Round Steals + Addition Of Erixon Make 2011 NHL Draft A Win For NY >

J.T. Miller profile >

Steven Fogarty profile >

Michael St. Croix profile >

Shane McColgan profile >

Samuel Noreau profile >

Peter Ceresnak profile >

Reaction to the J.T. Miller pick >

Evgeny Grachev traded >

Full list of BB draft profiles >

2010-2011 Season Review:

Breaking Down The Defense >

Breaking Down The Goalies >

Breaking Down The Offense >

Breaking Down The Prospects >

How Three Free Agent Signings In 2007 Have Shaped The Eastern Conference >

Spotlight On Glen Sather >

Spotlight On John Tortorella >

25 2011 Player Reviews >