By signing Michael Ryder to a single season contract, the Canadiens have probably given up hope of retaining the sniper long-term. It's no big secret the winger has consistently been a struggle to re-sign, this being the second time he's gone the arbitration route. And while the two sides managed to avoid what can be a messy process this time around, for all intents and purposes, his days in Montreal are numbered.
Perhaps one of Montreal's most impressive projects over the last generation, Ryder was drafted in the 8th round of the 1998 draft. After some strong success in the QMJHL with the Hull Olympiques, the 6', 192 pound winger struggled and his stock plummeted to the obscurity of Tallahasee in the ECHL. While Ryder had the ability to put the puck in the net, his skating was painful and his all-around game nowhere near where it needed to be to succeed in even the AHL.
However, if there's one quality Ryder possesses which is as good as anyone in the NHL, it's a work ethic. Bound and determined to overcome his obstacles, he garnered strong praise from his coaches as he slowly pulled himself back to the AHL and some serious success with the Hamilton Bulldogs. Impressing at camp in the fall of 2003, Ryder earned himself a regular roster spot and since then he's been the most consistent scorer on a team desperate for firepower.
But then there came the contract issues and since making the NHL, Ryder has signed for only single seasons. If he can once again pot 30 goals or thereabouts, his wage demands would increase fairly substantially. One could argue that GM Bob Gainey wants Michael to go out and earn himself a long-term contract, but that seems somewhat unlikely considering the team Gainey is building.
Ryder is a one-dimensional player, his plus/minus this past season horribly indicative of his complete lack of knowledge of the location of his own zone. Watching him attempt to play defense left one gnawing on one's own arm - and that's being generous. Now, there's no doubt his one dimension is critical to any team's success in the NHL, but if Gainey can have one of his many exciting young prospects score even 15 goals and have a plus/minus at even, then the overall effect is still a positive for the Canadiens.
More to the point, Gainey seems to be putting together a team that emphasizes speed, puck skills, and solid work in the defensive zone. Ryder will never be mistaken for fast, and while he does have some good skill with the puck, his aforementioned defensive work doesn't seem to fit the mold.
The acute observer will probably see four distinct possibilities. As mentioned, Ryder might work for a new contract; though that seems highly unlikely as these eyes see it. The Habs could very well just enjoy his work for the rest of the season then bid him a fond adieu, and thanks for helping out. While fans would probably whimper at this thought, the reality of the NHL says that free agency suddenly has a significantly increased population and therefore replacing Ryder wouldn't be nearly as difficult as it might seem. Then again, this is Montreal and attracting free agents is about as easy as getting a straight answer from a politician...
The two scenarios which seem far more likely involve the trade route. Ryder may have been signed (at a very reasonable salary, it must be stated, for the production he brings) in order to complete a sign-and-trade deal. It seems like a very reasonable thing for Gainey to do: package Ryder along with an additional player or two and shake up the team somewhat by bringing in some talent that is more in the Gainey mold. In fact, there have already been rumours about a Ryder/Halak/Bouillon trade for one Patrick Marleau (some may snigger at the values in that suggestion, but considering the Thornton trade, this doesn't seem quite so unlikely).
Perhaps more likely, though, is that Ryder will start the season in Montreal and will be shopped towards the deadline. As it stands now, according to the Montreal Gazette, the Habs' payroll sits at about $45 million - a number well under the cap. If this is true, then packaging Ryder's $2.95 million along with some young assets may very well net a true star from a club having a disappointing season. All those in favour of Tampa Bay being eliminated before the deadline thus allowing for the possibility of a Ryder package reeling in a certain Vincent Lecavalier, say aye.
Michael Ryder has worked hard in Montreal and has enjoyed some not insubstantial success, and for that the Canadiens and their fans are truly thankful. That said, it's the potential of his largest contribution - that of being used as dangling bait to lure in a big name superstar - which may be the reason he's remembered in Montreal. Any who have followed this sport for years on end knows that "never say never" is basically a truism, but seeing Ryder lace up and take to the Bell Centre wearing the bleu, blanc, rouge of the Canadiens in the fall of 2008 seems a remote possibility at best.
- A Concerned Fan
9 comments:
Your like so many others that don't have a clue. How come were not packaging Koivu He was a MINUS 21 this year and at center at that Ryder is a winger and point men, side boards and high slot on occasion is your area.The fact that Koivu gets repeatedly beat down low by stronger forwards and our pathetic defense over the years only puts you in a possition to be a minus.Now I'm not saying that some of his minus is his own (5-8) I would say,To lump all of his - on him is pathetic never in his career from junior to NHL was he ever more than -5 suddenly he is terrible defensivly just maybe it has more to do with the fact that he is on the first line that plays the best other teams have and for years we have had no Centers or D to combat them but heaven forbid we dump on KOIVU it's easier to blame Ryder. By the way he had PK time this year and did well 2 short handed goals if he was as bad as you say why would Carbs play him there in his right mind.And don't keep blaming Ryder for Contracts allways going sour that has to do with Gainey trying get something for nothing proof all of our wonderful free agents signings.Stop using thses "all of you that know anything" frases I have been a habs fan for 37 years and played junior hockey myself and I know what I am talking about,when Ryder goes and he will because of people like you I hope he goes somwhere that respects him the way he deserves and gets more goals than he ever did in Montreal. 8th round pick with 85 goals in three years on a team that can't score...........yea trade Ryder and keep Kovalev Par for the coarse.
I couldn't agree more with the comments above, Ryder is the whipping boy and scapegoat for a poor team which lacks a true #1 centre for Ryder to be a prolific 40-50 goal scorer...much like San Jose did in getting Thornton for Cheechoo, Gainey needs to do for Ryder. Not trade Ryder, if anything Gainey has put himself in a position of losing a great talent in scoring and leaving us even weaker in that department if Ryder is traded or signs elsewhere as a UFA next summer which he would because he obviously isn't getting the respect towards his gaem from the Montreal management. Gainey's has gone and done over payment for players like Kovalev and now Hamrlik, but won't lock up a young sniper who has been nothing but consistant since he came into the league? Many people think Gainey is a great hockey man and genious, having won 1 cup makes you this? Is Mike Keenan a genious too then???
I really question the thought process of Gainey and the management when they are crying for scoring and then have a scorer right under their own nose and won't commit to him? Ryder will be elsewhere as well I guarantee it, I also guarantee that management and fans will then see and miss the player that we had and let go...this to me is John Leclair all over again, 50 goals for Ryder is not out of the question with a top centre and it will be Gainey's mistake for not keeping Ryder and not bringing the centre in that was needed. Trading Ryder for that centre makes no sense to me, your adding by subtracting and getting no further ahead in my opinion.
Ryder is appreciated by this fan, and I will truly miss his goals and will cheer for him and his success as he probably flourishes elsewhere.
To the two posters above... ThankYou!
I'm sick of preaching what you spoken to most of the people who frequent these blogs and forums.....and even more so, ironically, the people who write these articles.
They all regurgitate the same nonsense.
Concerned Fan???.....more like MisInformed Fan!!
All I can say is you guy's are so right lay off Ryder and start getting on to the dead weight we have.
Ryder is an over-paid, one dimensional player. He brings nothing but a good shot to this team. With players like Higgins, Latendresse, Kostitsyn, etc. progressing as they are, Ryder has become quite expendable. All of those players bring more to the table than a shot, whether it be defence, hitting, skating, whatever. On this team, Ryder is never going to be anything more than a 30 goal scorer with poor skating and little defense. When he first showed up in Habs camp before 2003-04, he was exactly what this team needed, a guy who wasn't afraid to shoot. I'm very thankful for what he brought to the team at that point and I loved the guy. But now that younger, more talented players and primed to take his spot, it's time to thank him for his service and let him go on his way.
P.S. How does this thing know my name?
Did you just hear yourself, He is never going to be anything more than a 30 goal scorer.Wow there not hard to come by,and the last time I checked none of these kids have scored 30 so until they do we need his scoring big time.I will give you Higgins as a up and comer but please don't think that Latendresse is going to be a 30 -40 goal man it's just not gonna happen and people talk about Ryders lack of Skating, this kid looks terrible going down the ice.By the way is there a reason you can't have 2 guys with 30 plus goals just wondering.And how come nobody talks about Koivu,kovalev,Higgins,Latendresse all big time Minus players should we get rid of them they just can't seem to play defense.We all wanted to keep Souray for his big shot and he was a -28.
Just to point out a small, but telling, mistake: a team that is eliminated by the trade deadline wouldn't take Ryder in package, as he's going to be UFA next summer...
(especially not if it's Vinny going the other way)
ACF, that was a good article. Don't let the chicken-bleep anonymous posters ruin things with their negative, innane comments.
I can't help but feel that Ryder is a closet Leafs fan. Coming from the Rock, players are traditionally usually either Montreal or Toronto fans. I've also noticed that Ryder plays a little better whenever the Habs play against the Leafs. I would not be surprised if Ryder tries to sign with them next summer.
BTW, thanks for posting the link to the Habsworld.net website.
If you don't like negative or Innane comments then don't post your article.People have aright to there opinion just like the ones that have posted, (that I agree with by the way) so before you spread your Chicken Bleep comments think about it. EH, Maybe Ryder will go to the Flyers you know He did score a hat trick against them,just a thought.
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