Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
I don't think it's unreasonable to expect Derek Ryan to improve as the season goes on. His shooting percentage is incredibly low for his standards and he's clearly adjusting to new players around him.
|
The thing people always discount is how much player role can change production. He's being used in a much different role this season.
His points are down this year because opposed to playing a sheltered offensive role like in Carolina last year, he's playing a much more defensive, tougher role this year for the Flames.
Offensive Zone Faceoff %:
Carolina: 60.45%
Calgary: 49.02% (Lowest among Flames centers)
Most Common Linemates (Forwards):
Carolina: Skinner, Williams, Stempniak
Calgary: Bennett, Hathaway, Frolik
EV TOI:
Carolina: 13:13
Calgary: 9:56
PP TOI:
Carolina: 2:01
Calgary: 1:11
SH TOI:
Carolina: 0:30
Calgary: 1:30
So more defensive zone starts, less skilled line-mates, less PP time, and more SH time. So probably shouldn't be that surprised he's struggled offensively as he adjusts to a new more defensive role.
His advanced stats have been pretty good overall, and his defensive play has allowed Peters to free Tkachuk and Backlund up for more offensive zone time and zone starts.
I think he still has more to show offensively for sure (that one elite sauce pass to Bennett on the rush shows it, thought him and Neal made some decent plays together late in the game last night too) but I wouldn't say he's been a problem so far this season and I don't regret that deal at all yet.