Detroit Red Wings: Where will veteran forward Bobby Ryan fit in?
By Bob Heyrman
Where will Bobby Ryan fit in with the Detroit Red Wings?
General manager Steve Yzerman is quietly having himself an excellent offseason as he continues to navigate this pitiful Detroit Red Wings roster he inherited through a lengthy rebuild.
One of the first offseason moves Yzerman made was bringing in the recently bought out veteran forward Bobby Ryan. Ryan failed to live up to his lucrative deal he signed with Ottawa that paid him North of $7 million per season The rebuilding Sens wisely opted to buy-out the final couple of seasons, leaving the Red Wings an opportunity to make a low-risk, high reward free agent signing.
Ryan’s best days are long gone, but at 33-years old and for just $1 million on a one-year deal could pay off for the Yzerman led Red Wings.
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
The veteran forward needs a fresh start and will potentially play a significant role in Detroit rather than being buried on a better roster elsewhere. Ryan had been a staple on the Anaheim Ducks top-line at one time, scoring 30-plus goals in four consecutive seasons. Since joining the Senators, Ryan hasn’t achieved that mark again and has only reached the 20-goal plateau in two seasons over his last eight years.
Ryan has scored 20 goals over the last two seasons but has 15 goal potential. If Ryan can steadily produce, he will be a candidate to be moved for a mid-round draft pick at the trade deadline to a playoff team.
Head coach Jeff Blashill must be begging Yzerman for some offensive potential rather than the dried-up well of Holland-like free agent signings he’s used to receiving. Ryan will have a turn to play as a top-nine forward in Detroit, along with seeing a plethora of power-play opportunities. Don’t be shocked to see Ryan up on the Detroit Red Wings top line flanking Dylan Larkin, playing opposite Anthony Mantha at times.
Doing something like that will allow Blashill to lengthen his substandard lineup by moving Tyler Bertuzzi down with Robby Fabbri and hopefully Filip Zadina.
Next. Thomas Greiss will solidify the goaltending situation. dark
It’s been an excellent offseason for Yzerman, who has upgraded the teams’ goaltending situation by bringing in Thomas Greiss. Yzerman has also improved Detroit’s defense corps by signing Troy Strecher and Jon Merrill. Yzerman also brought in an intriguing forward by signing Vladislav Namestnikov.