I come to praise Ryan Callahan

It’s tough not to like Ryan Callahan. The 23 year old from Rochester had been the Blueshirts’ version of Chris Britton the past two seasons, bouncing between Hartford and New York (with a knee injury mixed in for good measure), but has finally stuck with the big boys this season.

After starting the year as a third liner that provided mostly hustle and hard work, Callahan earned increased ice time thanks to a hot streak in late October that saw him net five goals in twelve games. His minutes went from 14:41 per game in the season’s first fifteen contests to 16:56 in the last fifteen.

The Rangers’ fourth round pick in the 2004 has entrenched himself on Chris Drury’s right wing, and has potted five goals in his last seven games. Callie trails only Markus Naslund and Nik Zherdev for the team lead in goals, and is one of just seven forwards to play in all 37 games this season. It’s safe to say he’s established himself as one of Tom Renney’s top six forwards, and at his current pace Callahan should replace Brendan Shanahan’s 23 goals, and then some.

He finishes every check, works his tail off every shift, puts the puck in the net, and gosh darn it, I love the guy. I’m sure you do too.

Mike Axisa writes for River Ave. Blues, and can be reached here.