Bobby Ryan would be the first guy to admit that his play during the 2016/2017 regular season was nowhere near good enough.
13 goals and 12 assists for just 25 points. 10th on the team in scoring. And 20 games missed due to a range of injuries including multiple broken fingers.
Ryan’s contract had become a sore point for Sens fans over the last couple years but it seemed to hit a breaking point during the middle of last season. Even at his best (20-25 goals, 50-60 points), you could make the argument that Ryan is slightly over-paid. So when he turns in a regular season like he did last year, the concern predictably hit a whole new level.
Of course Ryan had some legitimate reasons for his regular season struggles.
Aside from the well-documented finger issues, Ryan was dealing with a lot both on and off the ice. In July of last year, Bobby lost his Mother to cancer. It was a loss that clearly had a profound impact on him and one that took on added significance as only six weeks earlier, he had welcomed his own daughter into the world.
Ryan also admittedly struggled with the implementation of Guy Boucher’s system. While in the past he was a player that thrived with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone, Boucher wanted him to get to the net more often and at times, Boucher went so far as to use Ryan in more of a checking role.
It was a difficult transition for the 30 year old with more than 600 NHL games under his belt.
And then the playoffs rolled along and we were treated to a new Bobby Ryan.
It started in Game 1 against the Boston Bruins with a fantastic individual effort to score Ottawa’s first goal of the playoffs. A burst of speed that hadn’t been there all year, a drive to the net that was far too often missing from his game, and then the finish that he hadn’t really shown over the previous 62 games.
By the end of the night, the Canadian Tire Centre crowd was chanting his name. It turned out Bobby was just getting warmed up too.
He would finish the playoffs with 6 goals and 15 points in just 19 games. Second only to Erik Karlsson in team scoring during the post-season. Three of his six goals were game-winners including two in overtime. Through three rounds, he was quite clearly the best forward on the ice for the Ottawa Senators. And at the most important time of year.
For Sens fans, it was a reminder how dominant a player Ryan can be when his feet are moving and when he’s engaged physically. And for Bobby Ryan, it was a reminder just how fun the game of hockey can be when things are going well.
It’s clear that something clicked for Bobby Ryan during the playoffs. Having a little extra rest down the stretch probably helped but he was a completely different playing during the post-season. One capable of controlling a game. He looked like a $7 million dollar player.
The challenge for Ryan will be finding a way to carry over that momentum into next season.
He’ll make $7.25 mil this season once again making him the highest paid player on the team. His contract is always going to be a talking point but it’s a lot easier to forget about the five years he has remaining on his deal when he’s playing like he did in the playoffs. Not only does he give them another weapon in their top six, but when he’s playing well, he’s a huge boost on the power play too.
If the Senators can get that kind of production over a full season, their offence will be in much better shape next year.
What do you expect from Bobby Ryan this season?
