Today it was announced that the Hurricanes had re-signed Derek Ryan to a one-year (one-way) deal at $1.425 million.
It is a good thing that the Daily Cup of Joe article was posted early since Ron Francis started early. 🙂 I had this deal among those that I expected this week to go with a few other decisions to be made by Francis.
Derek Ryan’s contract
As noted, I expected this deal to happen. There is no surprise there. Though I am a little surprised by the price. I expected Ryan to get a raise but would have pegged this deal at $900,000 – $1.1 million. In that regard, I am incredibly happy for Ryan. His long journey and perseverance are well-documented. I am more than happy to see people like him get rewarded for hard work. So financially, the deal does eat up $300,000-400,000 more than I expected, but in the big picture, that is not overly significant. In addition, the one-way deal does commit another NHL roster slot.
Derek Ryan’s fit with the Hurricanes
Despite the fact that neither side said much of anything too promising at the end of the season, I always figured this deal as close to a sure thing. As an unrestricted free agent, Ryan had the chance to shop the open market, but I just think the situation was too perfect for both him and the Hurricanes. Ryan had carved out a place on a team that still needs forward depth. Further, his greatest asset is his offensive ability which is something the Hurricanes are still light on. Finally, partly from his past with Coach Bill Peters he has a favorable working relationship with the team. I just do not see how he could have found a better fit and figured the only way he would leave is if Francis totally hard–balled him and tried to offer no raise at all or a two-way contract.
Where I see Derek Ryan slotting
I really like Derek Ryan for being the right kind of depth. I view him as being one of the two front-runners to seize Jay McClement’s slot in the C4 slots (along with Lucas Wallmark). With McClement departing and the Hurricanes becoming deeper at forward, I think 2017-18 is finally the year that Peters transitions to a more offensively-capable fourth line.
If Wallmark wins the C4 slot, Ryan is a good fit to sit in the #13 slot ready to step into the lineup in the event of an injury. He did himself a big favor last year by looking serviceable defensively and by being solid in the face-off dot. Those two things boosted his stock and boosted him from being risky AHL instant offense to being a player who could be trusted in a more regular, slightly less sheltered role. Ryan also helped his cause by looking reasonably comfortable in a stint playing right wing. As a depth player, the ability to fill a couple different roles is valuable.
But at the end of the day, Ryan’s calling card is his ability to boost the offense. The Hurricanes are trying to climb from 20th in the NHL in goal scoring in 2016-17, and either in a depth role in the lineup or injury fill in Ryan brings exactly that. He is at least serviceable if not better even at the NHL level on the power play. And he can create and finish at a good depth level in the NHL. His 29 points in 67 games represent a solid mid-30s scoring pace.
Finally, even if the Hurricanes youth rise up or if Francis adds higher-end help at forward, Ryan slots fine (though maybe a tiny bit expensive) at #13. Even if one of the young prospects proves to be the 13th best player in training camp, the kids would be better served playing 18 minutes per night in the AHL to continue improving whereas Ryan is fine in that role.
What say you Canes fans?
Acknowledging that he is scoring depth and not the top 6 catalyst, are you happy to see Derek Ryan back in the mix?
If I am right that the C4 battle is likely between Ryan and Lucas Wallmark, who do you think wins that slot?
Go Canes!
1. First, I am a bit surprise that the Dr. was re-signed. I had the distinct impression with the exit interview that Ryan was given the indication he was not going to be coming back. But I am glad – he is a solid fit with the team. As he said in his exit interview, he has proven that he can play at this level. I would love to see him prove he can excel at this level. I think with the $1.4M salary, RF and BP are looking at Ryan as something more than #13 F.
2. Wallmark is really a true center. Ryan can play center or wing. I can see them both on the 4th line, with Wallmark as center. Ryan will be a great experienced mentor for Wallmark, while being able to handle the face-offs in special cases. Ryan can also fill in as either F or C in the top 9. But I don’t think it is an either/or for Ryan and Wallmark on the 4th line.
Price and term alone make this a smart move.
1. Very happy he was resigned. Solid depth forward. The money is right for his abilities.
2. I’m with raleightj. He and Wallmark can fit on 4th line if necessary. Ryan can slot up to third line if we have injuries. Like raleightj says, I don’t think RF and BP are looking at him as the 13th forward at this point. If he gets shoved there it will mean one of our rookies has stepped up and grabbed a position since it doesn’t appear we are going to sign a top six forward.
My initial reaction is disappointment.
Nothing personal, but I was hoping GMRF would add some other players that could have pushed players down to the 3rd and 4th lines, eliminating a spot for Ryan.
Ryan doesn’t have the size, and he’s not the type of player for a traditional 4th line. He’s TT light on higher lines, skilled but a fringe player that needs space. He doesn’t generate much on his own.
By most accounts, Ryan is a good guy and I certainly hope he has more production in him that we haven’t seen.
However at the moment this suggests we won’t see enough added talent and that Ryan will have a role in the bottom 6.
I don’t expect miracles, but I was hoping we’d wait a couple weeks to see what we could add via free agency first.
Teams have been figuring out what can be done during free agency, indirectly of course, since the beginning of April. They were permitted to directly talk to players that are unrestricted or unqualified free agents yesterday. Ryan’s signing was the result of seeing what could be done in free agency, not in lieu of knowing. Like you I was hoping Ryan was the best player who couldn’t make the team this year. But, it appears the free agent market won’t support that hope.
Interesting news that I am sure Matt will address overnight – when does he sleep??? LOL!
Carrick signed. Qualifying offers made to Chelios, McGinn and PDG. Altshuler, Nesty, and Karlsson did not receive QO’s and are now UFA’s. There are a number of UFA’s as well – and I am curious to see what happens with Brown, Woods, Samuelsson, and Kristo. How much change will there be in Charlotte – as an indicator of what the Canes are thinking regarding prospects coming up.