WildHBcommunity: Is Bobby Ryan Capable of a Heatley Type Impact in Ottawa
Senators Acquisition of Bobby Ryan Ushers in New Era for Franchise
The Ottawa Senators 20 - 18 - 8 (48 points) are in Saint Paul for a matchup with the hometown Minnesota Wild 25 - 18 - 5 (55 points) at the Xcel Energy Center. This offseason the Senators made franchise defining changes with the acquisition of winger Bobby Ryan via trade and the free agent departure of their captain Daniel Alfredsson. Ryan’s arrival is arguably their most anticipated and heralded in Ottawa since Dany Heatley’s arrival there to join center Jason Spezza on the top line.
I am sure by now we have all read the statements made by Bryan Burke on why Ryan was not selected to represent Team USA. I am sure the Senators organization has to be fuming at not only the slight and missed opportunity to feature Ryan on the national stage but also the critical take on a player they are heavily invested in to usher in a new era of success for the franchise. Ryan was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks while Burke was their general manager, but he has publicly identified current Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher as the driving force behind the selection.
I find this entire storyline just captivating because of all the ties between the Senators and Minnesota on the verge of tonight’s matchup. The inevitable comparison between Ryan and Heatley will spark never ending debate leading in many different directions but most likely ending at or around the 50 goals scored in 2007 by the Ottawa winger. Ryan possesses a similar ability like Heatley to illicit passionate responses from fans both positive and negative. Heatley has an army of internet parody account followers waiting to pounce at any mention of his name. Don’t believe me, just type #50in07 into your search bar on Twitter or Google.
I doubt the Senators fan base or the organization want anything to do with my diagnosis of the similarities between these top tier talented wingers. I don’t care though haha Ryan and Heatley sure matchup in my mind as far as their arrival in Ottawa, where I believe when it is all said done they will both have proven to have played their best hockey in a Senator sweater. I mean Ryan’s birth name is actually Robert Shane Stevenson, so he is playing under an alias haha.
No Love Lost for Dany Heatley in Ottawa Look no Further than #50in07
The Senators and Heatley just this year settled the bonus money grievance associated with his demand of a trade then refusing to agree to be shipped to Edmonton. Heatley in truth will be the villain in Ottawa long after his career ends because he is such a polarizing figure. Heatley’s career is on down slide at this point but no one can dispute he dominated the NHL with scoring in a Senators sweater.
Heatley was still effective in his eventual destination of San Jose and even in his first season with the Wild. Heatley’s previous production truly created and unreasonable set of expectations for him with the Sharks and now here in Minnesota. As result of underwhelming production matched with a superstar contract, Heatley has been a lightning rod for fans of the Wild and Sharks.
At current Heatley is easily playing his most productive and important hockey of this season for the Wild. With injuries to Zach parise and Mikko Koivu keeping them out of the lineup, Heatley has be made an assistant captain and is playing top line minutes after finding his role and ice time reduced for most of the season. Make no mistake about it though, Heatley’s attitude and effort have been the reason he has found himself playing on the 4th line and seen his production fall so far off his career numbers.
I find it very interesting that Fletcher is responsible for the acquisition of both Ryan and Heatley despite questions and concerns about each at the time. Obviously each presented a unique set of circumstances but I think it still bears mention. Heatley was traded by San Jose to the Wild for winger Martin Havlat at the draft. Heatley has far outperformed Havlat since the swap so despite struggles there has always been a favorable comparable. When Ryan was selected #2 overall by the Ducks, it was rumored that Burke was leaning towards a selection of defensemen Jack Johnson instead but eventually relied on the young Fletcher’s judgment.
Heatley’s future is very much up in the air at this point after this season because of his lackluster play and rather hefty baggage. Heatley is such a polarizing personality and player, here in Minnesota he has been a solid citizen. The criticism of Heatley comes from the severe drop off in his production and the hefty contract that he originally signed in Ottawa. Heatley’s play this season can be described as lacking effort and uninspired on the whole. I have a sneaky suspicion though Heatley signs a one or two year deal somewhere as a free agent this summer and could find some late career success.
I doubt Senators fans want to be reminded of Heatley when Ryan is mentioned given how it ended between the mega-star and the franchise but I think there are definite similarities between the two. Ryan is the target of scrutiny just like Heatley based upon perceived expectations which ultimately is unreasonable and unrealistic. Heatley has peaked out in the first year with San Jose and Minnesota only to then decline steadily in the years following.
The Senators better hope that they get Heatley-Esq production out of Ryan during his career in Ottawa to justify the return for him in trade and his contract. To date Ryan has a career high of 71 points and 4 30-goal seasons in 6 ½ seasons in the NHL. To acquire Heatley from the Thrashers the Senators sent Marian Hossa and Greg De Vries to Atlanta. For Ryan they shipped Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen, and their 1st rd pick in 2014 to Anaheim.
Just My Take, Tony Dean
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