[Signing] Sens sign Bobby Ryan to 7 year extension ($7.25mil AAV)

[Enoch Root]

The price is probably fair. And the Sens simply had no choice - they have to lock up some stars to build around, you can't keep letting all your top players leave.

The problem is that their two building blocks are a small, offensive defenseman and a soft winger. They are both very talented players, but Ryan, especially, is not a leader and I am yet to be convinced that Karlsson is.

To me, they are both supplemental stars - great additions to your top 2 or 3 core players (like Ryan was in Anaheim, behind Getzlaf and Perry).

And this is a problem for Ottawa because I don't think they can afford two more top stars (they desperately need a top line C if they want to be contenders).

[Huntingwhale]

For a team that lost Spezza, had the Alfredsson fiasco, and is still reeling from the Heatley and Chara departures, there wasn't much choice from Ottawa's point of view. Ryan and his agent bent the Sens over and took them to town. While I do think it's an overpayment, how could Sens management tell their fans they want to remain competitive while losing so many key players over the years?

I personally don't see Ryan living up to that contract at any point, but the Sens had no choice.

[The Original FFIV]

He basically replaces spezza's cap hit. Good for them, not sure what the controversy is here.

[Murph]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The price is probably fair. And the Sens simply had no choice - they have to lock up some stars to build around, you can't keep letting all your top players leave.

The problem is that their two building blocks are a small, offensive defenseman and a soft winger. They are both very talented players, but Ryan, especially, is not a leader and I am yet to be convinced that Karlsson is.

To me, they are both supplemental stars - great additions to your top 2 or 3 core players (like Ryan was in Anaheim, behind Getzlaf and Perry).

And this is a problem for Ottawa because I don't think they can afford two more top stars (they desperately need a top line C if they want to be contenders).

Agree on Ryan, but Erik Karlsson is a superstar and potentially the best defensemen in the league - a guy any team would jump at the chance to build around.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I was really hoping Burke could get him to sign with us in the next offseason.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I was really hoping Burke could get him to sign with us in the next offseason.

After being left off the Olympic team and Burke criticizing him, that was never going to happen.

[Tinordi]

Tinordi's law: Any free agent signing of a top line player shall be met with a general sense that the deal is too expensive and/or too long

[bubbsy]

deal's probably fair, haven't watched enough sens games to understand just how big a part of the core he is to their team.

that being said, considering what the Sens gave up to get him, it would have been brutal if they didn't pay up and keep the asset, as there is no way they would get anything remotely close to the value they gave up for him in a trade.

[Erick Estrada]

It's probably on the high side for a player that's probably not a franchise forward but it's the going rate these days for one of your best players and the Senators had to make this work or that trade becomes egg on their face if Ryan goes into free agency and they don't get a king's ransom at the deadline (see last year's deadline).

I'm actually surprised he opted to stay in Ottawa as they just don't look like a franchise that's committed to winning at all costs.

[nik-]

That's a pretty serious commitment to Bobby Ryan

[sureLoss]

Hope_Smoke @Hope_Smoke
McKenzie on TSN Radio (RE anyone else paying Bobby Ryan that money)"I doubt it, I'd be surprised."

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Hope_Smoke @Hope_Smoke
McKenzie on TSN Radio (RE anyone else paying Bobby Ryan that money)"I doubt it, I'd be surprised."

There's always the Islanders or even Oilers. There's always a desperate team or two that thinks they are that one UFA from turning the corner.

[BigTuna]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Hope_Smoke @Hope_Smoke
McKenzie on TSN Radio (RE anyone else paying Bobby Ryan that money)"I doubt it, I'd be surprised."

I;m surprised he said that. If Ryan was UFA on July 1st, we'd see him get huge offers. Orpik just got 5.5 million per. Also, he got 7 years and not 8. So any team could match the term.

[Locke]

Remember when hockey genius Craig MacTavish, of recent Tkachev fame, thought Bobby Ryan was a terrible pick?

Ah, his brilliance is often so refreshing.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Locke

Remember when hockey genius Craig MacTavish, of recent Tkachev fame, thought Bobby Ryan was a terrible pick?

Ah, his brilliance is often so refreshing.

Wasn't that Kevin Lowe? Or am I misremembering?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Locke

Remember when hockey genius Craig MacTavish, of recent Tkachev fame, thought Bobby Ryan was a terrible pick?

Ah, his brilliance is often so refreshing.

That was Lowe. MacT may have thought so too, but it was the Lowe Down Dirty Shame who said it.

[Locke]

Right! That was Kevin Lowe. The No Goodness just rolls into one. Its hard to tell them apart.

[Flash Walken]

in lowe's defense, he may have been drunk at the time.

[Jebus]

Better heading for TSN article: Silver strikes gold..