The Ottawa Senators have announced that forward Bobby Ryan has entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. He will be away from the team indefinitely.
NHL/NHLPA media release regarding @Senators’ Bobby Ryan. https://t.co/R8TWfdySFl pic.twitter.com/CpHP3az8pI
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) November 20, 2019
Bobby Ryan Enters NHL/NHLPA Assistance Program
Ryan left Monday’s afternoon skate as Ottawa prepared to play the Detroit Red Wings. Senators head coach D.J. Smith told the media that Ryan wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t in the lineup. Ottawa won the game over Detroit, 4-3.
The Cherry Hills, N.J native has a goal, three assists and 11 penalty minutes in 16 games so far this season. He has a Corsi for of 51.4 and a relative Corsi of 6.4.
The 32-year-old is in his 13th season in the NHL and has played for the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators. He has 250 goals and 301 assists for 551 points in 825 games. Anaheim took Ryan in the first round, second overall of the 2005 NHL Draft.
He made the All-Rookie team in 2009 and helped Team USA win a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Ryan played in the 2015 All-Star Game at Columbus, Ohio.
“There will be no further comment at this time,” the league and the union said in a joint release sent out today.
Ryan’s contract expires at the end of the 2021-22 season and has a cap value of $7.25 million in those next two seasons.
What it Means For the Future
Max Veronneau and Mikkel Boedker should take on increased roles with Ryan away from the team. Ryan had struggled this season and was a healthy scratch. He hasn’t scored since the season-opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 2. The veteran hasn’t registered a point since getting an assist against Detroit on Oct. 23 seven games ago.
Ottawa will take on the Montreal Canadiens in its next game at 7:30 p.m. today at the Bell Centre. The Senators are 9-11-1 with 19 points and are seventh in the Atlantic Division.
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 07: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Bobby Ryan (9) keeps eyes on the play during second period National Hockey League action between the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators on March 7, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
