The Ottawa Senators management has taken another move in trying to lock up their pending unrestricted free agents by following up with a seven year contract offer to their elite winger, Bobby Ryan. The American born winger, who has only played one season in the nation’s capital, expects a more established role on the team before signing a contract with the Senators, who traded for him in the summer of 2013. Bobby has stated to general manager, Bryan Murray, that he wants to see the role and the importance he has this season before he makes a decision.
Report: Senators offer Bobby Ryan a 7-year contract extension
With Jason Spezza out of the mix, there will no doubt be more expected of every player in the Sens locker room, including Ryan, who the head coach Paul MacLean has asked this summer for him to be a louder voice in.
“I know there will be a little more of a role for me to take on as a leader. Last year, he (Paul MacLean) noticed that I didn’t talk a whole lot or become a more rah-rah guy because I was still learning my way and still trying to find my place in the room. I think expectations have shifted for me to be ore of a vocal leader in the room and that’s fine. I can do that,” said Ryan.
There is no known details or figures of his new contract offer, but by the sounds of Murray and the rest of Ottawa’s management team, they are trying their best to do what it takes to keep Bobby Ryan wearing red, black, and gold for more years to come.
Ryan is the most offensively talented forward in the Senators line up and if Ottawa wants to start pitching to aim for the playoffs in the years to come, his walking out at season’s end via free agency would be a major blow to that goal and the organization itself. If talks go sour and an agreement isn’t reached by trade deadline of the 2014-15 season, then the Senators may explore the possibility of trading Ryan and getting as much as possible for him to benefit the team.
Ryan played 70 games with the Senators last year scoring 23 goals and 25 assists. He missed the last few weeks of the season when it was decided for Ryan to undergo season ending surgery with a sports hernia he’d been dealing with since November. (SIA Alert)
Ryan was also a four time 30 goal scorer with the Anaheim Ducks before he was traded to Ottawa in exchange for forwards Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen, and Ottawa’s 2014 first round draft pick on July 5th 2013.
This summer Ottawa successfully locked up valuable forward Clarke MacArthur to a five-year contract extension, and starting goaltender, Craig Anderson to a three-year contract extension. As well giving contract renewals to winger Milan Michalek and goaltender Robin Lehner, both at three years and signing free agent centre David Legwand for two years.
Other noteable contract renewals that will be needed at the season’s end include unrestricted free agents, Marc Methot and Erik Condra, and restricted free agents, Mika Zibanejad, Alex Chiasson, Mike Hoffman, and Mark Stone.
UPDATE:
According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the it seems the report may not have been entirely accurate:
Regarding reports Bobby Ryan turned down 7 x $7M from OTT, my understanding is not only did Ryan NOT turn it down, it was never offered.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 17, 2014
Though it seems as though some terms have been discussed between the team and Ryan’s representatives, it looks like Ryan wants to see how the season unfolds before committing to any serious contract talks.
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