Ottawa Senators
Bobby Ryan Is Free in More Ways than One: Senators Star Is Moving – Somewhere
The Ottawa Senators bought Bobby Ryan out, and he’s free to find another team. He’s also free in another way – what
There a sense to which the Ottawa Senators have done Bobby Ryan a favor when the team officially bought out the remainder of his contract. That Ryan was bought out was no surprise to anyone – including Ryan himself. He’s struggled with many things in his life; however, understanding the reasons for his buyout couldn’t have been that difficult to comprehend. Ryan is allowed a fresh start somewhere else, and the Senators can now open a spot on the roster for a younger player who will become a part of the team’s rebuild.
The fact is that Ryan hasn’t played up to the value of his $7.25 million contract for several seasons now, but in the right circumstances he should still be able of contribute to a team. He’s a talented player, who’s been set back by personal demons. Being released by the Senators offers him a chance to start over with another team. Being completely released from his demons might take more time.
The Senators Were Ambivalent about Letting Ryan Go
Ryan needed to clear unconditional waivers before he could be bought out and that happened earlier today. He had two years left on a contract that called for a salary-cap hit of $7.25 million per season. After he’s bought out, he’ll cost the Senators $3,583,333 in cap space for each of the next two seasons and will also cost them $1,833,333 against their salary cap during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
Although Ryan never approached the four straight seasons where he scored 30+ goals with the Anaheim Ducks, he put together a couple of 20-goal seasons with the Senators and was a favorite of Senators fans. As a result, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion noted that, “This was a decision that required a lot of consideration.”
Dorion added, “Bobby’s long been a deserving fan favourite in Ottawa. While we’re appreciative of his efforts on the ice, it’s outweighed by how proud we are of him for the courage that he has demonstrated off of it. As we continue to take strides in our rebuild, this decision was one that we felt was best for the organization. We wish he and his family the best as he moves forward.”
Ryan Won the 2020 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Ryan only scored five goals and had eight points in 24 Senators’ games this season. He missed many more games (43 in total) because he had entered the NHL/NHLPA’s player assistance program on Nov. 20 to receive help for alcoholism.
The good news is that Ryan’s success – so far – in winning his own battle with alcoholism has become an inspiration for others who also battle these same demons. His success and inspiration were the reason he was named the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which goes to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.”
Ryan’s Story Is One of Overcoming Difficulties
Ryan’s NHL hockey career came because he was exceedingly talented skill on the ice. But his life wasn’t easy, and he had to overcome a great deal to turn that on-ice skill into a professional hockey career. His story is worth reading and can be found in the Sportsnet article by connecting to this link.
I encourage all Bobby Ryan fans or Senators fans to read it. It tells a story of a young man who was pushed by a driven father and who could never live up to his father’s expectations, anger, and abusive behavior toward his family. Although Ryan notes in the article that his father’s pushing actually helped him grow as a hockey player, as a human being it must have been difficult for him to live with as he was growing up – perhaps one of the main reasons for his history of alcohol abuse.
Ryan’s Complicated Relationship with Brian Burke
Brian Burke was part of the staff in Anaheim when the Ducks drafted Ryan as the second-overall draft pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Like Burke or not, after Ryan was drafted by the Ducks, Burke helped him get therapy in Toronto for difficulties he had faced. As a result, when Ryan played for the Owen Sound Attack, he drove back and forth to Toronto each Monday for therapy. It was often a dangerous trip in the winter, but it was something Ryan noted he had to do.
Later, when Burke was the director of player personnel for Team USA, he left Ryan off Team USA for the 2014 Olympics saying that he lacked “intensity.” The article also noted that Burke had debated with scouts about whether to draft defenceman Jack Johnson instead of Ryan. Burke was quoted as saying, “I should have taken Jack.”
Ryan’s Struggles Have Been Inspirational to Others
For all of Ryan’s troubles, his life has been inspirational to others, as can be seen by the tweet below.
Ironically, Ryan’s contract was bought out by the Senators just days after he won the Masterson Trophy for inspiring others who also lived lives of addiction. Ryan’s alcohol addiction has been public for years, and he’s worked hard too overcome it. That he’s been so forthright about that addiction has helped other people.
Ryan Has also Been Helped by Others
Although Ryan has inspired and helped others, he admits he had a hard time getting help himself. The 33-year-old was caught in a vicious cycle, trying to handle the situation on his own but not finding long-term success.
He admitted, “It’s something I’ve been battling for a while. I’ve tried on my own and I was already getting help for it. What I was doing wasn’t enough. I was trying to white-knuckle things and trying to do things the wrong way.”
Ryan could stay sober for small periods of time, but would relapse into old, familiar habits.
“It would be 20 days of nothing and then one real bad day,” he explained.
Finally, he entered an in-patient clinic to seek a permanent solution. He admitted that it took him years to get the courage to do so. Surprisingly, Ryan found the support of other NHLers “overwhelming.” He even suggested that a number of players who had battled substance abuse issue reached out to him directly to share their journeys.
Although he was surprised by how many other NHL players contacted him, many went through the program anonymously. “Some guys reached out and I had no clue they did it,” Ryan said.
Ryan not only battled insomnia, but when he woke up from his “choppy sleeps,” he’d be overridden with feelings of guilt and shame.
What Happens with Ryan Now?
What happens to Bobby Ryan now is anyone’s guess. Certainly, at his age he’s not so much past his prime that he can’t help other teams offensively. However, given his history with Ottawa and the fact that he had not earned his paycheck for so many years, is there a chance that another team might give him an opportunity?
Although his days with big paychecks are probably over, the fact that he’s gained a bit of a nest egg after being bought out by the Senators allows him to sign an inexpensive contract somewhere else. That’s likely the way he’ll go.
Where that team will be, no one knows. However, a team like the Arizona Coyotes might offer him a chance to show that his play can redeem itself. In fact, he might be a perfect fit. The Coyotes are trying to put together a team on a small budget, and Ryan is an American player.
Ryan is free to find out. However, his greatest freedom is probably not going to be found on the ice. His greatest freedom will probably be to overcome the addictions and the demons that go with them that have, for so many years, made his life so difficult to live.
I for one hope he finds a comfortable home somewhere.
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