Ryder's Days Are Numbered

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