Detroit Red Wings: Bobby Ryan receptive to returning in 2021-22
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Red Wings are likely going to be active dealers at the 2020-21 NHL trade deadline, and Bobby Ryan is one of the players who could find himself on the way out and packing his bags. Well… not so fast.
Ryan is currently working back from injury and getting back into the Detroit Red Wings lineup, making it a bit tougher to trade him. However, in a recent The Athletic($) article, Ryan said he would be interested in returning to the Red Wings.
It may not have been an outright thing that the two sides are working on a deal, but Yzerman also expressed interest in bringing Ryan back for another season. This past offseason, Ryan joined the Red Wings on a one-year, $1 million contract.
The reason Ryan came to Detroit, you might ask, “Steve Yzerman,” as he said in a postgame interview earlier in the 2020-21 season. Ryan has settled in nicely even on this rebuilding team; a fresh start with new threads has been good for the veteran winger.
He has not had the smoothest road these past few years, but after battling some adversity, seeking help, and turning things around, Ryan has turned over a new leaf. Now that the trade deadline is approaching, Ryan could be headed out, but he is prepared and ready to stick around.
Detroit Red Wings forward Bobby Ryan is prepped and ready to stick around with the team beyond this season.
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As the trade deadline comes and goes, Ryan’s fate is left to be decided by the Red Wings front office. Though it seems a budding relationship between Ryan and Yzerman might keep Ryan here in Detroit.
Even if Ryan is moved at the trade deadline, do not be surprised to see him come right back after the offseason.
Similar to the MLB where flamethrowing closer Aroldis Chapman was traded by the New York Yankees but then he returned in the offseason because he liked the fit in the Bronx.
Ryan could very well be back on another one-year deal for the 2021-22 season, and it seems like that might not be the worst thing for this organization.
Ryan could still be moved; his production warrants some looks from teams looking to add late depth to their roster.
In 2020-21, Ryan has played in 33 games where he has seven goals and seven assists for fourteen total points on the season. A team looking for some extra forward depth might be keen to add Ryan, but he could very well stay put at the same time.
The jury is not out on Ryan yet. Whereas, a forward like Adam Erne could very well play his way out of town if a team wants to take a chance on the bottom-six forward who is lighting it up. Ryan is awaiting the trade deadline to find out his fate and whether he will get moved or not.
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But, for Red Wings fans, whether Ryan is moved or not, I would expect that he returns to Hockeytown this offseason by way of the Yzerplan.