Inside the Locker Room
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan is back on his game, even if the results don’t show in the box score
by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
October 25, 2017
TAMPA – A player’s contributions are often measured solely in what shows up in the stat column.
Some contributions can’t properly be measured in that traditional manner.
No phrase defines Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan any better than that.
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Judged by scoresheet contributions, Callahan didn’t show up in the opening nine games to the season. His play said otherwise.
”I think he’s been playing great,’’ Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. “He’s pretty hard on himself and expects a lot from himself and you can see it wearing on him a little bit. But it’s not from a lack of effort and it’s not from a lack of chances.’’
While the points do not show it – he finally registered his first point with an empty net goal on Tuesday in Carolina – Callahan once again looks like the player who reached the 20-goal mark in 2014-15, his first full season with Tampa Bay.
Two seasons of dealing with hip related issues prevented Callahan from being the impactful player he’s been throughout his career. Last year he only appeared in 18 games following off-season surgery and a follow-up procedure midway through the season to repair scar tissue and replace stitches which had irritated the surgically repaired area.
Following months of rehab and a full summer to train and regain his form, Callahan is back to being Ryan Callahan.
Back is the Ryan Callahan who gets in to shooting lanes to block shots – he’s averaging one blocked shot per game. Back is the disruptive Ryan Callahan, who twice in a game against Pittsburgh, willed his way to an odd-man breakaway while shorthanded. Back is the Ryan Callahan who is physical as he’s already ranked in the top 10 among forwards with 26 hits.
”This is the best I’ve felt in the last couple of years, especially the last couple of games,’’ Callahan said. “The last handful (of games) I fee like I’m playing my style more, in on the forecheck, hitting, getting to the front of the net. It would be nice to get some points and get on the sheet, but I think in times like this you have to look if you are getting the chance and I have been. So that’s just a matter of time.
“I’m just really happy with the way I feel on the ice and helping the team win games.’’
Callahan does not need to be a constant offensive contributor to have a bit impact on the team.
Throughout his career, Callahan has always been the intangibles guy. The leader who goes and shows the way, setting the tone with the way he plays.
”That’s part of the way I lead, I try to lead by example, go out there and put forth that effort,’’ Callahan said. “When you see a teammate go out there and do it, it’s hard not to go out there and do the same thing. So I know how that affects me and that’s a way I’ve always tried to lead.
it does not go unnoticed by teammates, by fans and especially by coaches.
”Everybody can’t lead the team in scoring, only one guy can do that,’’ Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. “Everybody has different roles and from the day Ryan Callahan was acquired, he became that inspirational leader out on the ice. Is scoring goals something players want to do in the NHL, getting points because ultimately there is something on a sheet of paper that says you had a positive impact on the game.
“But there are not a lot of guys like Ryan Callahan that come around, the energy he brings to our team, the leadership, the shot blocking and all those things that often don’t show up in a scoresheet, but they help you win games. That’s what Ryan has done for us and he’s a very valuable part of our team.’’.
All the work of rehab, something he experienced side-by-side with Stamkos throughout most of last season, has helped get Callahan back to the impactful player he can be, even if it means he does not show up on the scoresheet as much as he’d like.
”He worked extremely hard and him and I went through that stretch last year where we were with each the whole time,’’ Stamkos said. “And he is a big piece of our team, not only on the ice but in the locker room, too, so that element is back with him, he hasn’t lost that. I think he’s done an amazing job, he’s one of the best penalty killers in the league. But (offense) is going to come, that line has played extremely well (along with Chris Kunitz), they’ve been really effective. He’s kind of the driving force with is speed and physicality and willingness to do whatever it takes to help us win.
“He’ll get rewarded soon enough.’’
That moment came on Tuesday when Kunitz picked off a pass and sent in Callahan all alone from the red line in to score in to the vacated net with 1:21 left.
It was the type of payoff Callahan earned.
”You could see the relief on the ten strides it took him to get down ice,’’ Cooper joked. “I wasn’t sure if he was going to just place it in the net or just pound it, but it was good. All the guys got up on the bench, they were happy for him.’’
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