The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed forward, Derek Ryan to a two-year contract extension. Additionally, the one-way contract carries an average annual value of $900,000 until his UFA year in 2024-25.
DR RETURNS 👊
The #Oilers have signed Derek Ryan to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $900,000. The veteran forward scored 13 goals & 20 points in 80 games during the 2022-23 season. https://t.co/kNiHamg6LW
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 13, 2023
Derek Ryan Inks Extension with Edmonton
Ryan pieced together another solid season for the Oilers. He scored 13 goals and notched seven assists for 20 points in 80 games. Ryan’s 13-goal campaign was the second-best goal-scoring season in his career. His best was in 2017-18 with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he scored 15 times.
Throughout his career, Ryan has potted 76 goals and 191 points in 500 games. Derek has bounced around a few different teams in his NHL career. He started out with the Hurricanes before joining the Calgary Flames in 2018. However, in 2021, Ryan decided to join the enemy in the “Battle of Alberta.”
Ryan is a Great Success Story For Hockey
It’s eye-catching to see that Ryan has only played in 500 career games at the age of 36. Standing at 5’10”, Ryan wasn’t blessed with height in his genes. Yet, he offers great motivation for young hockey players out there.
At 29 years, 63 days, Derek Ryan finally cracked a professional roster for the first time in his hockey career. Prior to his NHL debut, Ryan went un-drafted and spent multiple seasons playing pro in Austria and Sweden. During the summer of 2015, he signed a one-year, $600,000 contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Oilers Ensure Their Depth
The rest is history for Ryan and his hockey career. The veteran offers a game that consists of a hard forecheck and chipping pucks in deep. He uses his speed and body positioning to force opposing defenders to cough up the puck.
After he retrieves it, he can fire passes up to the Edmonton defencemen at the point. Then, he will follow this up by crashing the net to pounce on the rebound.
Ryan is a traditional fourth-line centre build. One of the best in the face-off circle, strong defensive presence, and a scrappy forechecker. The Oilers will continue to award him for his services.
Main Photo: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
