Callahan Staying in Tampa?

 
 
The Tampa Bay Lightning made it clear to Ryan Callahan’s camp that they want the player past this season. 

The pending UFA's agent, the veteran Steve Bartlett, told ESPN.com Tuesday that he chatted with Steve Yzerman in Buffalo over the past weekend, at which point the Bolts GM made it clear they'd like to talk extension after the season. 

Yzerman, also reached Tuesday, said for now the focus is on hockey, on making the playoffs and on doing well in the playoffs. The GM will focus on Callahan’s future later. 

"He’s just going to play hockey and we’ll talk when the season’s over," Yzerman told ESPN.com. 

But it’s clear the Bolts hope the former Rangers captain is more than just a rental. 

"Yeah, we’d love to sign him," said Yzerman. "He’s a good fit, a good person, a good player, has style of play that really complements our group well; he’s fit in really well. So we hope to sign him. But we won’t talk until after the year."

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