[Signing] Flames sign Derek Ryan (3 yrs, $3.125 mil AAV)

[Enoch Root]

Great signing IMO. Free agent signings are always more money than you are comfortable with - that is simply the price of getting an asset without giving up any assets.

When it became likely that we were going to sign him, I thought... okay, what are the parameters that I can live with? Sure, 2 x $2.5M would be great, but that isn't happening. So what is realistic? What I could stomach?

When thinking term, I thought: 2 years? Awesome. 3 years? Sure. 4 years? That would be painful.

With respect to price, anything in the $2s would obviously be fantastic. $3.0 - $3.5M? Sure, that sounds pretty decent. $3.5 - $4M sounds a little painful, so that is what it will probably be. $4M or higher? Ouch.

In the end, neither the term nor the AAV were up in the uncomfortable zone. So for a FA signing, to me, that is pretty great.

[Gaudreau is a Ninja]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I’d suggest people watch that Hanifin highlight video from that trade thread as well - Ryan was very noticeable in positive ways throughout that video. Didn’t seem like he was just riding as a passenger at all to me from that video.

Hopefully there is a Ryan YouTube video as well. I agree in the Hanifin video there is a lot of Ryan doing positive plays in the offensive zone.

[transplant99]

People, in general, fear the unknown. Derek Ryan is relatively unknown to most.

He is a good player as long as he isn't relied on to do the heavy lifting which in this posiyion, shouldnt happen.

Just because Peters used him a lot in Carolina doesnt mean it will happen here. There is a completely different roster here with a bunch of guys who can do the hard stuff.

He seems like a perfect fit for what was needed, not sure how anyone can argue that. The bottom 6 was a black hole last season, and this is a piece added to correct that.

The contract itself is more than reasonable and if the Czernik kid can play and stick with the club, they just revamped the bottom 6 completely for under 5 million dollars a year.

There really isnt a whole lot to criticize about any of that.

[Icon]

I think worst case he replaces what Stajan brought on a good day. Lots of upside on top of that.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Not sure I'd be quoting that guy, not the best analysis of things. To suggest he only gets points because he's playing with a goal scorer kind of misses the point doesn't it?

Can't argue he's small.

But also can't argue face off stats, and the fact that the player is 1st-3rd in any relative possession statistic on the Hurricanes last year. Manny's WAR model had him top six (which is questionable), but there isn't a lot statistically to not support the player out there.

People are suggesting that Ryan will be the 4th line center and kill penalties, because he is so strong defensively. His stats don’t support that perception. He is not strong defensively and doesn’t kill penalties. His one great strength is his face off ability. I could see people arguing that that was enough to sign him, as the Flames suck in the face off dot. But every other facet of his game just isn’t there IMO. I think he’s more Brouwer - coach’s favorite - or Maroon - success based on his linemate - than the picture being painted here. Hey, I will happily come back and fall on my sword if Ryan repeats last year’s numbers and the team is good with him in the role Peters casts him in. I’m just concerned that this is a very short term player who will not contribute to the long term success of the team, because the coach will not play the guys that need the experience.

Something to consider here was Treliving’s stated goals coming into the free agent period. He said he wanted to improve the depth and bring in a PP specialist. Does Czarnik look like a PP specialist? If not, Ryan becomes that guy. That means one of the guys you hope to be on the PP, gain experience and become an important cog in the long term sustainability of the team, is no longer getting that opportunity. Will people be happy when Sam Bennett or Mark Jankowski get bounced so Derek Ryan can take his earned spot on the PP?

This is one of the reasons I hate the free agent period. Part of being a hockey fan to me is watching the young guys develop and become a key part to the hockey team, long term. Free agency has really made that a very tough road to follow, and another reason to not get emotionally invested in the players and team. Free agency, and the mercenary aspect of professional sports, takes a lot of the fun out of the game for this fan.

[Heavy Jack]

Who said Ryan was gonna kill penalties ?

Further we have had a rookie play near a full season 4 straight years in a row:

Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Tkachuk, Jankowski, Kulak, Hathaway all suited up for their first games and played towards full seasons and guys like Mangiapane and Andersson have been given their cups of coffee too at about 10 games each. I don’t get this notion that we don’t play young guys. Sure guys like Wotherspoon, Poirier and Klimchuk haven’t been given as full of a chance but as Sureloss pointed out some of that is on the players themselves. Treliving is going his job making camp competitive; these are great depth signings which really was our weakest issue up front. No complaints bringing in Ryan/Czarnik.

[Kybb79]

Is Ryan fast?

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Who said Ryan was gonna kill penalties ?

Peters even said on the Fan that he wouldn't be killing penalties, but would be on PP 2.

[Jason14h]

This remind me a lot of the Engelland signing. If it had not been leaked early a lot of people (including me) would not have had to idea who this player was , and thought the $$$ was crazy.

However, we need guys who can play at he NHL level in the bottom 6.

I’ve always though your bottom 6 needs guys that excel at 1 specific thing (or else they would be a top 6)

Whether it is PP, PK, shot blocking, hitting , face offs etc

The Flames have not had a guy who can win faceoffs in years / decades?
If Ryan can come in , win faceoffs , and score 10 goals our team is a lot better then we were yesterday

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by New Era

People are suggesting that Ryan will be the 4th line center and kill penalties, because he is so strong defensively. His stats don’t support that perception. He is not strong defensively and doesn’t kill penalties. His one great strength is his face off ability. I could see people arguing that that was enough to sign him, as the Flames suck in the face off dot. But every other facet of his game just isn’t there IMO. I think he’s more Brouwer - coach’s favorite - or Maroon - success based on his linemate - than the picture being painted here. Hey, I will happily come back and fall on my sword if Ryan repeats last year’s numbers and the team is good with him in the role Peters casts him in. I’m just concerned that this is a very short term player who will not contribute to the long term success of the team, because the coach will not play the guys that need the experience.

Something to consider here was Treliving’s stated goals coming into the free agent period. He said he wanted to improve the depth and bring in a PP specialist. Does Czarnik look like a PP specialist? If not, Ryan becomes that guy. That means one of the guys you hope to be on the PP, gain experience and become an important cog in the long term sustainability of the team, is no longer getting that opportunity. Will people be happy when Sam Bennett or Mark Jankowski get bounced so Derek Ryan can take his earned spot on the PP?

This is one of the reasons I hate the free agent period. Part of being a hockey fan to me is watching the young guys develop and become a key part to the hockey team, long term. Free agency has really made that a very tough road to follow, and another reason to not get emotionally invested in the players and team. Free agency, and the mercenary aspect of professional sports, takes a lot of the fun out of the game for this fan.

I see a lot more people talking face offs, right handed shot, up tick to the middle six, and roster flexibility than fourth line and penalty killing.

Here is Tierney's skill plot



Speed is just fine. You're right he's not a shut down guy, but it looks like he has the tools to contribute to secondary scoring.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

This remind me a lot of the Engelland signing. If it had not been leaked early a lot of people (including me) would not have had to idea who this player was , and thought the $$$ was crazy.

However, we need guys who can play at he NHL level in the bottom 6.

I’ve always though your bottom 6 needs guys that excel at 1 specific thing (or else they would be a top 6)

Whether it is PP, PK, shot blocking, hitting , face offs etc

The Flames have not had a guy who can win faceoffs in years / decades?
If Ryan can come in , win faceoffs , and score 10 goals our team is a lot better then we were yesterday

I like that logic. If you are bottom 6 bring something else...

Sounds like Ryan is PP and faceoff specialist. We desperately need a right shot for PP2 anyways.

3 yrs at 3.15m is fine. Even a buyout in year 3 is palatable 1.05m X 2yrs should age catch up to him.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Peters even said on the Fan that he wouldn't be killing penalties, but would be on PP 2.

That’s just it - New Era suggested people were suggesting 4th line and PKer to help himself add to his narrative that this is a bad signing. I see him as a guy who’s main home will be 4th line Center but throughout the game he could play up the lineup as well taking some shifts in the top 6 RW as well as 2nd unit PP time.

This is a solid signing and while it may have been an overpayment even 2 seasons ago (heck even last year) with this cap just south of 80 this could prove to be a very solid signing by Tre.

What we brought Brouwer in for was short-sighted and overlooked warts for a specific need. Ryan brings us situational strength and can play up and down the line-up and is familiar with the systems.

I think the Flames could really hit the ground running for once this year and while that’s still a 50/50 notion right now I’m heartened to see the sigings/Trade truly address the issues we had last year.

Our defence could arguably stay the same versus last year if Gio/Brodie pickup where they left off - could even improve with a D guru coach and what could be a more well-rounded top 4; so the jury is still admittedly out on if the D is as good as it was with Dougie as it is with out. However I don’t think it’s debateable that our right side forward strength and bottom 6 forwards have improved... plus no Gulutzan/Cameron.

I don’t see how any fan can’t be a little excited about all this roster turn over and change; it’s good to see IMO.

[btimbit]

Wanted under 3, slightly over, not going to complain. Less than the Stajan deal and the cap has gone up quite a bit since that was signed. If he can somewhat repeat his production from Carolina, I like it

[AustinL_NHL]

The amount of fans who are upset with this is super confusing.

Only thing to possibly worry about with this contract is that he doesn't repeat his numbers from last season.

If he does, this contract will look excellent. Elite possession player, elite scoring chance rates, elite faceoff ability, and he should be good for 30-35 points.

If Ryan had 3-4 years of this type of play prior to being UFA, his contract would've easily been $4M+ and no one would've batted an eye.

We just upgraded our bottom 6/top 9 significantly and at potentially a good price.

Even if he ends up being a 25pt player with excellent possession stats and faceoff numbers, $3.125M will still be a decent cap hit.

[greentree]

If nothing else, Derek Ryan has one of the most interesting and circuitous NHL career paths, ever...

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p....php?pid=77306

[868904]

The Flames success last year, next year, and in the future was always dependent on Bennett and Jankowski becoming legit top six forwards.

If Derek Ryan does not score 38 points next year, that will be a good thing because it means that one or both of Bennett or Jankowski have taken the next step.

Ryan is an insurance policy, and contingency. If our young guys don't develop we think they will, we will need a guy who can play up the lineup. At $3 million per year, the salary is not unmovable not a big risk nor is the term.

Derek Ryan will not hold back Bennett or Jankwoski, at that cap hit and term, the flames will not be forced to play Ryan over anyone. If they had signed JVR or Neal or Perron to the bigger terms and cap hits, then they would have been forced to play them over the young kids.

I see this as signing as the Flames having faith in Jankowski and Bennett and anticipating them becoming the top six threats we expect. Ryan is a signing to insulate their growth. He very well could play with them and help them start off with possession more frequently as opposed to spending most of the shift defending.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Perron got 4 x 4 and Ryan got 3.125 x 3. Much rather have given perron 4x4.5-5

I think we overpaid and this contract will be a total dog in 3 seasons. Seems to be the norm with our club. Stajan, brouwer, now ryan

That's not how it works...Flames aren't offered first dibs on every contract

[oldschoolcalgary]

ryan is an improvement to the bottom 6: something everyone knows was an issue...

basically replaces a guy like stajan and is already familiar with Peters and his system...and swaps out Stajan's 3.125 cap hit.

Solid move by Tre.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by 868904

The Flames success last year, next year, and in the future was always dependent on Bennett and Jankowski becoming legit top six forwards.

If Derek Ryan does not score 38 points next year, that will be a good thing because it means that one or both of Bennett or Jankowski have taken the next step.

Ryan is an insurance policy, and contingency. If our young guys don't develop we think they will, we will need a guy who can play up the lineup. At $3 million per year, the salary is not unmovable not a big risk nor is the term.

Derek Ryan will not hold back Bennett or Jankwoski, at that cap hit and term, the flames will not be forced to play Ryan over anyone. If they had signed JVR or Neal or Perron to the bigger terms and cap hits, then they would have been forced to play them over the young kids.

I see this as signing as the Flames having faith in Jankowski and Bennett and anticipating them becoming the top six threats we expect. Ryan is a signing to insulate their growth. He very well could play with them and help them start off with possession more frequently as opposed to spending most of the shift defending.

I like this take. Thanks for putting a spin on this to make it more palatable for this fan. Appreciate the perspective.

[Anduril]

We now have options other than Brouwer/Lazar as our RH shot in our entire forward lineup.