Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Keeping Bobby Ryan is the Ducks Best Option

July 30, 2012, 7:55 PM ET [41 Comments]
Steve Palumbo
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
It's nearly August 1st and Bobby Ryan is still a member of the Anaheim Ducks and at this point keeping the disgruntled forward remains the clubs best option.

Nearly two months have passed since the very public spat between the star forward and Anaheim management, in which Ryan outwardly expressed his desire to be traded to a team that actually wanted him. As of now there has not been much progress made towards accommodating Ryan's "request."

Quite frankly, that's great news for the Ducks. While all the Ryan talk makes for excellent water cooler conversation, I have yet to hear a single logical reason for trading a 26 year-old perennial goal-scorer in the prime of his career.

It should come as no surprise to any of us that the Ducks are looking to upgrade their second-line center. I understand and accept that. What I have trouble accepting is dealing away Ryan as a means to fill that hole.

In fact, wouldn't that create and even larger void at the wing? Perhaps. The Ducks do have a promising influx of talented wingers in the system, but Ryan is a proven NHL commodity. That is a rarity in this day and age and not easily replaced.

The Ducks were aggressive on the first day of free agency, signing veterans Bryan Allen and Sheldon Souray to add size and experience to their blue line. They also added enforcer Brad Staubitz as a replacement for the mustache himself, George Parros.

These moves gave Anaheim some much needed momentum heading into the rest of the summer. Add in the return of both Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu and by all accounts the Ducks are having themselves a pretty darn good off-season.

How then can Bob Murray justify trading a four-time 30-goal scorer like Ryan? He can't...and I refuse to believe any pieces returned in a Ryan trade would have a significant enough impact on the club right now.

Look at the New Jersey Devils. A team that had just missed the playoffs, rode a mix of veterans and young players back to the playoffs and onto a trip to the Stanley Cup Final. History proves this can be done. Anaheim should be looking to New Jersey for inspiration.

I know Murray is feeling the pressure of missing the playoffs two of the last three years and making a big deal is very tempting. Plus, the Ducks still need to upgrade their second-line center but, not at the expense of losing Ryan. They have made notable progress this summer. Why ruin that now?

***

Follow me on Twitter! @StevePalumboNHL

Email me at [email protected]
Join the Discussion: » 41 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Steve Palumbo
» Sharks offense in heating up; have they turned a corner?
» Radim Simek's return will help, but San Jose's issues run deep
» The Last Place Sharks; Should We Get Used To It?
» Evander Kane helping Sharks get back on track
» Patrick Marleau's big return masks Sharks woes