Ryan still hoping for change
While a trade is not imminent, Bobby Ryan is still a hot commodity.
NEW YORK, NY -- A four-time 30 goal scorer is not a bad consolation
prize for missing out on the Rick Nash grand prize. And for teams in
that position, Bobby Ryan will fit just fine.
It has become increasingly move evident that a split between the
American forward and the Anaheim Ducks is likely. In an exclusive
interview with Randy Miller of the Courier-Post last month, Ryan made
it perfectly clear he would be willing to accept a trade.
"Anaheim to me has been a team over the past year that really has
shown me nothing to prove that they want me here, unfortunately," Ryan
said. "Obviously, it's not the ideal situation. When you get drafted,
you want to win championships with that team and every time they look
to add a piece to the puzzle, I'm the piece going the other way."
The message was also crystal clear when he quipped, "I take things
personally."
Ryan, as well as Nash, were the two biggest scorers frequently
mentioned in trade rumors over the past few months. The Ryan rumors
even began as early as December of last year, with some insiders
having the New York Rangers as the front-runners. But with the Rangers
all but definitely out of the race after making their big of-fseason
move, there are still more than a few teams that would love the New
Jersey born winger to make them his new home.
The most popular destination for Ryan has been the Philadelphia Flyers
in recent months. Growing up a Flyers fan, in the nearby town of
Cherry Hill, New Jersey, it would make a lot of sense for Ryan to
return to the first place he called home.
In the very same interview with Miller, Ryan discussed the possibility
of playing in Philadelphia.
"Everybody wants to play in your hometown, but it would be tough
because a lot of expectations come when you're put into a situation
like that," he said. "For me, if I'm moved, Philadelphia would be a
very ideal and comfortable place for me."
He also reflected on the idea of playing with star center Claude
Giroux.
"Claude Giroux has done things to elevate his team to a new level," he
said. "If I were to come to Philly, I would love to be alongside him."
With the re-stocking of shelves, and the full reset that occurred in
Philadelphia a short while ago, they also very have the right pieces
to get it done. At the top of Anaheim's wish-list should definitely be
young forwards Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn and Matt Read.
Obviously, Philadelphia would prefer to hang on to all three of them,
but it's impossible to foresee a deal without one of the three heading
West with varying degrees of likelihood.
Detroit has spent the off-season like the teenager who never found a
prom date. They were in on Ryan Suter, Zach Parise and Nash, and came
up with Jordin Tootoo and Mikael Samuelsson. Not exactly the most
stellar summer for a team that just lost one the top defenseman to
ever play the game. Detroit has had continued success in the draft
department, however, and does have a few interesting young pieces.
Unfortunately, at the top of Anaheim's shopping list should be
defenseman Brendan Smith, who is more valuable to a Nicklas Lidstrom-less
defense than many other teams in the NHL. They have some attractive
young pieces still with young forwards Thomas Tartar, Gustav Nyquist,
and Teemu Pulkkinen.
Red Wings GM Ken Holland has been tight-lipped about the team's moves
(or non-moves) thus far stating.
"We're going to continue to explore the market," he said during the
team's Winter Classic press conference last month. "There are some
players on the free agent market that we have some interest in. There
is some trade talk out there, which we're trying to explore."
Another team who has been strongly linked to Ryan this off-season has
been the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan's reservations about joining the team
would be the lack of a clear-cut number one playmaking center. Ryan
has been very transparent about his desire to skate alongside a top
playmaking talent.
This, however, has not stopped Buffalo from inquiring and considering
the option of bringing the young forward to New York State.
Ottawa, another possible destination for Ryan, were hot on the Nash
front. They were often linked to Nash, because of their desire to take
their team up a notch and replace the aging Daniel Alfredsson's
production.
Senators GM Bryan Murray spoke to reporters after confirmation of
Alfredsson's return but didn't give any clues as to what the team has
planned for the rest of the off-season.
"We talk to people on a regular basis about what they're doing with
particular players," he said.
As cryptic as it sounds, Ryan would be a good fit in Ottawa, and they
have the young assets to get a deal done with top forward prospect
Mika Zibanejad.
Of course, the team that always makes the most sense is usually the
least likely destination, and that is again the case here. Despite
being division rivals, the San Jose Sharks would love a ticket to the
Bobby Ryan sweepstakes.
San Jose has been looking at every possibility to upgrade their
forward core, and Ryan could fit perfectly in San Jose playing
alongside one of the best playmakers in the game over the past ten
years.
Unfortunately for San Jose, Anaheim would likely ask to be completely
blown away to let him go to an inter division rival.
All is quiet on the trade front for now, but as we have seen time and
time again... that all changes with just one phone call.
Patrick Kearns is a Columnist for TheFourthPeriod.com and the New York
Correspondent for
The Fourth Period Magazine.
