Derek Ryan (Bild: Sport-Bilder.at/Dostal)
The Avalanche could be a frontrunner in the Derek Ryan sweepstakes. I’ve heard that Colorado is in the negotiation stage with Ryan on a two-way contract for 2015-16 and I’m in the process of confirming it with the player or his agent. The Avs declined comment.
The Maple Leafs and Capitals are also in the mix.
Ryan, 28, is an older version of Tampa Bay’s Tyler Johnson, 24. The undrafted duo are buddies, too, both raised in Spokane, Wash. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Ryan — who, like Johnson is a right-shooting center — led the Swedish Hockey League in scoring this season (60 points in 55 games) and was named the league’s top forward. He also led Austria’s top pro league in scoring for 2013-14.
Ryan played three years for major-junior’s Spokane Chiefs before playing four years at the University of Alberta. His career stats are .
On paper, the Avs don’t need another small third-line center. Joey Hishon is a project in itself, and right now Hishon and Ryan (if signed) are destined to begin next season for the San Antonio Rampage, the Avs’ new AHL affiliate. Unless, that is, the Avs have realized they won’t agree on an extension with valuable C/LW/RW Ryan O’Reilly. Trading O’Reilly for a top-four defenseman would lessen Colorado’s stress when free agency begins July 1 and not drastically change the payroll. O’Reilly is scheduled to make a team-high $6.2 million ($6M cap hit) next season; an elite D would be in the same range.
I do believe the Avs are trying to sign/have signed Russian F Alex Radulov and are high on draft-eligible Czech Republic C Pavel Zacha (who would likely need at least a year to further develop). With Ryan now in the mix, moving O’Reilly for a precious need and without diminishing cap space makes sense. Question is, what team has such a D and willing to move him for O’Reilly?
On another note, the Avs say they will unveil “minor alterations” to their uniforms at the June 26-27 NHL draft.
