In this morning's Ranger Reads I brought to your attention an article from the Boston Globe that quoted an unnamed NHL agent who speculated that restricted free agents Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan will re-sign with the Blueshirts for around $4.25 million. There were mixed reactions, as expected, but if this rumor is true, I personally think that the price is perfect.
Here's the quote from the Globe:
Dubinsky is coming off a two-year, $3.7 million contract, according to www.capgeek.com. Callahan finished a two-year, $4.6 million deal. One agent queried about the prices they could command guessed that both would sign contracts with $4.25 million annual cap hits. The same agent pegged Boyle for $1.75 million per year.
Just to clarify, those prices listed are what Dubinsky and Callahan actually received in the bank last year - not their annual cap hits. As far as cap hits go, Dubi's was marked at $1.85 million and Cally's at $2.3 million. Earlier in the year, I predicted that both player's cap hits would double if they continued consistent point production. Well, they did and if this agent's speculation is on the money (no pun intended), then their cap hits will do exactly that.
Dubinsky and Callahan were undoubtedly the most productive offensive players for the Rangers last season, and if it were not for injury their final numbers would have been even higher. And as I continue to remind you, Dubinsky led the team in scoring in 2010-11. Both players are worth $4.25 million, especially if they take on captaincy and alternate captaincy roles in the near future.
GM Glen Sather is not normally generous with his restricted free agents, and a $4.25 price-tag is not cheap nor generous - it's just right. Going into free agency I fully expected Dubinsky and Callahan, or "Duballahan" as we term them 'round here, to receive somewhere between 4 million and 4.5 million. 4.25 would be splitting the difference and would be a price that sits just fine with me.
How about you? Submit your vote in the poll below asking whether or not Dubinsky and Callahan are worth $4.25 million, in your opinion....
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