Ales Hemsky’s fate may depend on Ryan Callahan
10 years ago
Last night was billed as Ales Hemsky’s last game as an Edmonton Oiler, and if so he certainly delivered a fine performance. Reports on the morning of the trade deadline suggest New York may be his ultimate destination, but that might be dependent on the fate of fellow pending free agent Ryan Callahan.
On the Edmonton end, the highly-connected Bob Stauffer suggested that the Rangers might be a good fit for Hemsky late last night/early this morning:
Stauffer’s take was confirmed on the New York end by the New York Post’s Larry Brooks, who confirmed that Rangers’ general manager Glen Sather had held talks with his Edmonton counterparts about acquiring Hemsky. The sticking point, according to Brooks, is the Rangers’ reluctance to part with the second round draft pick that Edmonton is asking for in trade. Brooks added, however, that events might force the Rangers hand:
Of course, Hemsky might just be a fall back if the Blueshirts aren’t able to sign Callahan and instead move him, thus creating a hole at right wing management believes can’t be filled by J.T. Miller.
The Rangers have been linked to a higher end right wing (Martin St. Louis) and of course there are plenty of other possibilities on the market, but prices for those will also have New York balking:
At some level a Hemsky deal to the Rangers makes a lot of sense. New York and Edmonton have always had a close trading relationship, and it’s customary for Oilers skill players to finish their days with the Blueshirts. We will just have to wait and see if that’s what happens with Hemsky.
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