Detroit Red Wings: Bobby Ryan set to return on a PTO for training camp

The Detroit Red Wings are ramping things up as training camp begins later this week. The team announced Tuesday that they would be extending a professional tryout offer to forward Bobby Ryan, who became a fan favorite during the 2020-21 season.

As the Detroit Red Wings head towards the start of the 2021-22 season, adding another forward for depth like Bobby Ryan is not the worst idea. Ryan looked great in 2020-21 and was on a roll before his season was ended early due to injury.

After some off the ice adversity that Ryan went through, he came back and was immediately able to play a role for this Red Wings team. Last offseason, Ryan was brought in on a one-year contract with the hopes of earning an extension.

General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman opted not to give him one, but it seems like a return is not 100% out of the question just yet. He may have only played in half of the 2020-21 season, but he still had an impact on this team’s forward core. He even stated he was receptive to a return to Detroit.

Bobby Ryan’s return to the Detroit Red Wings hinges on PTO.

In 2020-21, Ryan played in 33 games for the Red Wings, where he had seven goals and seven assists. Out of the gate last season, it seemed like Ryan was going to get back to 2009-10 form and put up a ton of goals.

Even 7-7–14 should be considered a victory for Ryan and worth being kept around. He’s going into his 14th season in the National Hockey League (NHL) and definitely should be able to find a roster spot somewhere.

The question for Ryan is likely going to be if he can earn a spot on this Red Wings team. If he can come into camp and prove he is ready to go, he could very well wind up being a middle-six forward and play a crucial role for this Red Wings team.

Ryan can be a floating winger who gets plugged in where he is needed as the season continues. With the hopes that some of the younger prospects will start flowing through, Ryan’s return may have less pressure to be a top-six forward than in previous years.

After all, the Red Wings are still rebuilding and have not yet turned the corner; the hope will be that the 2021-22 season is where they can return the corner. Ryan could be one of the veteran forwards who is on the roster specifically to show some of these younger players the ropes.

The team has players like Sam Gagner in the mix who are locker room favorites and have been around the league. Having a couple of these guys to mix in with the team’s forward core may not be such a horrible idea.

As training camp begins, expect Ryan to be doing whatever he can to earn another one-year deal with the Red Wings organization.