Addressing The Ryan Rumors

The persistence of the rumors of Bobby Ryan to the Flyers makes me believe there is indeed something to the chatter. Some organizations absolutely fall in love with a player and every season make an effort to bring them in. Bobby Ryan is that type of player to the Flyers organization. We have heard rumblings about it in past seasons so the only reason that it would become a reality now is if the Ducks were actually willing to move him and not ask for the moon in return. It will no doubt cost us still though. Most probably a top 6 forward and a current or potential top 4 defensemen. The guy is a young proven 30 goal scorer and is basically what the organization hoped for JVR to turn into so he is worth his asking price.

Since yesterday when the Flyers parted with JVR I began to believe they were actually very much in on signing and/or trading for a top 6 forward. There is no specific need for the Flyers to bolster their offense as even with the trade of JVR they have one of the best 4 lines on any roster in the league. If they do make a move for a forward though it will be interesting to see what way they go. The 2 biggest options they have are Rick Nash and Bobby Ryan. Rick Nash is a very good player. An offensive dynamo who can carry a team on his back when need be. The type of player Nash is though is a centerpiece. He is a proven goal scorer and is paid like it as evident by his $7.4 million cap hit each season. The current contract he is on also takes you into the 2017-18 season when Nash will be 34. That’s the kicker that get most teams disinterested because it is nearly impossible to tell if his play will be worthy of his cap hit at age 34. It’s hard to justify bringing a guy in like that when your offense is not in desperate need of a shot of adrenaline.

Bobby on the other hand is still on his first contract he signed after his rookie deal so he still comes at a pretty discounted rate. His cap hit currently sits at $5.1 million per season. He is also 23 and his contract runs out in 3 years (including next season) so the Flyers hold the power to make another evaluation on him at that time. With Nash you would never have that option and if you ever decided you wanted to get rid of him a trade would have to be worked out and his hefty salary cap number would cause a lot of problems when trying to negotiate a deal. Bobby, like Nash, is a solid 30 goal scorer. He is a true power forward and would fit in nicely with the Flyers style of play. The only negative tag that comes with him is that he is considered somewhat of an underachiever. It’s really hard to say that about a 30 goal scorer, but it has been mentioned by Ducks coaches and management that they think Bobby can do more. Maybe a move will get that potential out.

As for what the Flyers will have to give up in this hypothetical trade I assume that a player like Voracek and a top 4 defensemen would seal the deal. Bobby’s value is high,  but I’m sure the Flyers will not budge on Courtier or Schenn. They want the team for the most part to stay intact as turning over a roster every season cause a problem with chemistry. The JVR trade will no doubt be the biggest trade the Flyers make this summer. Whatever comes out of the Ryan deal they won’t give up too much as they have the upper hand. There have already been rumors that Ryan is disgruntled and may have even asked for a trade. And that he wants to play in Philly. And the Ducks have tried to move him before. The Ducks are stuck between a rock and a hard place so they will most likely not get a kings’ ransom for him if they do indeed deal him to the Flyers.

-John LaMarra

Twitter – @popesnipes77

E-Mail – lamarrajunior@yahoo.com