Ryan was an excellent story last season, as he emerged from a stay in the NHL's player assistance program to help serve as a veteran mentor for a young Red Wings team. He did some positive things on the ice, as well, managing seven goals and 14 points in 33 games. Ryan is 34 years old, and an unrestricted free agent fresh off triceps surgery, but he averaged more than two shots per game (2.21) in 2020-21 and has always been good with the man advantage. Ryan may have to wait for training camps to open in order to get a shot, but he can probably help an NHL team in a depth role in 2021-22 as long as expectations are kept in check.
Ryan missed a large chunk of last season as he struggled with alcohol abuse and entered the NHL's player assistance program. Upon his return, he potted four goals in eight contests before the league went on pause in March. Ryan was bought out by the Senators, but was able to latch on with the Red Wings, presumably to enjoy a middle-six role in 2020-21. He hasn't topped 50 points since 2015-16, and at 33 years old, it's unlikely Ryan can return to that level. That said, he's still capable of a 15-goal, 40-point campaign with elevated hit totals and a job on one of the Red Wings' power-play units. Fantasy managers in deeper formats could do worse than the experienced vet in the late rounds of this year's drafts.
While Ryan scored more goals and points than he did in each of the previous two seasons last year, that was mostly because he stayed healthy. The oft-injured winger notched 15 goals and 42 points in 78 games in 2018-19, but his points-per-game average was virtually identical to that which he posted in 2017-18. Ryan also posted a career-worst minus-29 rating last season, and he's been a minus-53 player over the past four campaigns. Some owners are okay with a negative plus-minus rating if it means taking on a player who can produce points, but Ryan isn't a lethal enough scorer to justify taking on that kind of liability during the middle rounds.
Any time a team actively tries to shed a player in a trade, that's a sign they don't see him as a long-term piece to the puzzle. Ryan has never been the player he was expected to be when the Senators brought him in from Anaheim, and the 31-year-old has really seen his production drop in the past two seasons -- 58 points combined the past two years. That used to be a single season for Ryan, not two. Given his litany of finger injuries and no longer a lock to score 20, or even 15 goals, Ryan should only be worthy of a late-round pick if you're desperate for depth.
The 2016-17 season was one Ryan will want to forget. The veteran winger dealt with a number of injuries throughout the year and was ultimately only able to produce 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 62 games, snapping a two-season streak of 50-plus. The 2005 first-round pick had only missed a total of five games in those two prior campaigns, so injury risk shouldn't be a major concern for fantasy owners evaluating him ahead of this year’s drafts. However, his inability to consistently produce offense when healthy last season is undoubtedly disconcerting. That said, there was one period that saw him score steadily: the playoffs, when he exploded for 15 points in 19 contests. That outburst was a reminder of what he’s capable of achieving at his best, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Ryan bounce back to around 50 points. However, there’s definitely some risk involved with drafting the 30-year-old winger this season, so we'd suggest owners wait until the later rounds of drafts to snag him as a depth option with healthy upside.
Ryan is gradually improving as member of the Senators, and with minimal changes around him – except the departure of Mika Zibanejad and entrance of Derick Brassard – there’s no reason to think he will hit a snag in production. Last season, the winger put up 22 goals and 34 assists, with the only ding being his minus-9 rating – an excusable stat, considering the Sens' teamwide underperformance. With Mike Hoffman’s contract situation settled and Brassard’s veteran presence at the helm, Ryan has the very real potential to hit 60 points again – something he achieved as a member of the Ducks. Thirty-plus goals could be a thing of the past, but with the firepower that Hoffman brings, setting up the opposite winger could be Ryan's bread and butter this year.
Ryan's only entering his age-28 season, but in some respects, he's already over the hill -- the four consecutive 30-goal campaigns he posted early in his career are a long time ago now, as he last hit that mark in 2011-12, and it simply doesn't look like he's going to reach that level again. However, he should see his goal total rebound into the mid-20s following a season in which he put a career-low 8.1 percent of his shots into the net despite unleashing 221 of them. Mark Stone's overtaken Ryan as the Sens' top right wing, but a second-line assignment with the up-and-coming Mike Hoffman and Mika Zibanejad shouldn't hurt his outlook too much.
Ryan had a down season by any account in 2013-14, picking up just 23 goals and 25 assists in 70 games. The good news is the Sens seem to have found a good spot for Ryan for the foreseeable future, as he'll start the season with the same linemates as last year, skating on the right side of Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur. Those three started last season as the team's second line, but quickly took over the top spot as the team's most effective unit. With all three forwards still under the age of 30, the biggest question mark heading into training camp will be whether or not the Sens can come up with a second line that will be productive enough to take some of the pressure off this trio. If not, Ryan will probably continue to struggle offensively while opponents load up their best defenders against his line.
The Senator fans found themselves heartbroken when longtime captain Daniel Alfredsson bolted for Detroit after 17 years in Ottawa. GM Bryan Murray quickly gave them cause for hope when he landed Bobby Ryan from the Ducks. The 26-year-old scored at least 30 goals in each of the four years prior to the lockout-shortened 2013 season, but became too expensive for Anaheim after the Ducks re-signed Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf to huge contract extensions. Ryan will either play on a line centered by Jason Spezza or Kyle Turris this season. He could be the offensive weapon the Senators need to push them from playoff team to serious cup contender. While it's reasonable to expect a slight dropoff in points this season as Ryan gets acclimated to his new surroundings, the fact of the matter is he's an elite goal scorer who will get all the chances he needs to put the puck in the net. He should deliver another productive season for fantasy owners.
So, when will Bobby Ryan be traded? The guy's name has been tossed around for was seems like years, but he has remained with the Quackers. That might change this yea, of course. He can be an absolutely dominant winger, but he won't become a go-to, point-per-game monster in Anaheim. So draft him as a 30+ goal, 65-70 point winger with point-per-game upside. Just don't count on that upside until he slips on a new uniform.
Ryan posted another strong season for the Ducks, potting 34 goals and reaching the 30-goal mark for the third straight campaign. He also saw an increase in assists, raising his point total to a career-high 71 (fourth on the team). With an exciting group of talented players on the Ducks' roster, Ryan has the tools to become a 40-goal scorer as early as this season.
It's clear that the Ducks would like to build their franchise around their core group of young talent, and that includes Ryan. In his first two seasons with the Ducks, he spent time in the minors and slowly solidified his presence by playing 81 games last season. He took advantage of the opportunity and ran up 64 points (35G 29A), which ranked third on the team in points scored. If the restricted free agent can resolve his contract issues with the franchise, he could put up similar numbers in 2010-11.
Salary cap issues delayed the debut on Ryan last season, but once he showed up, he proved he was here to stay. Skating on the first line for most of the season Ryan didn’t disappoint with 31 goals in only 64 games. Ryan could be a perennial 40 goal scores for years to come and should be drafted as such.
Ryan just turned 21 in March, but the No. 2 pick behind Sidney Crosby in the 2005 NHL Draft might always be a footnote to Sid the Kid, who immediately made an impact and quickly became the face of the franchise for the Penguins. Ryan suited up for 23 games with the Ducks, while picking up 10 points (5 G, 5 A), and then tallying 49 points (21 G, 28 A) in 48 regular season games at Portland (AHL). Keeper leaguers have continued to be patient with Ryan, but it's only a matter of time before he's locked down a regular top-six forward spot in Anaheim. At press time, the Ducks were unable to add Teemu Selanne to the mix because of salary-cap restrictions, so Ryan is pegged for a spot on the second line with offseason acquisition Brendan Morrison. Still, look for a significant amount of production from him at the NHL level this season, as the Ducks appear ready to give him significant ice time.
The absence of a top-line winger in Teemu Selanne has given Ryan opportunity to break camp with the Ducks and play a prominent role from the start. Ryan has great ice vision, which paired with his excellent hands makes him a threat to move the puck around as well as put it in the net. Despite his size, he has good balance and shields the puck very effectively, and expect to see him setting up camp in front of opposing netminders right from the start this season.
Ryan will continue to refine his game in junior hockey, and should continue to put up gaudy offensive numbers in the process.
Even if he doesn't make the squad out of training camp, it won't be long before you see him in the NHL. With good size and great offensive skills, Ryan will be a great fantasy option once he becomes a fixture on one of Anaheim's top two lines -- which easily could be in 2006-07. Keep your eye on Ryan, as he could be a budding star waiting to bloom.
Ryan is the number three North American prospect for the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. At 6'1" and 223 lbs at age 18, he has all the markings of a power forward in the NHL. He's a average skater but he can carry guys on his back on his way to the net, and he has incredible on-ice vision to go along with the hands of a much smaller, finesse-style player. He has the markings of a franchise-type player but will need several years to blossom... power guys always do.
