Ryan Riddles

The reported availability of Bobby Ryan should be of interest to 29 other clubs, not just the Maple Leafs. The kid can score, being No. 2 in the draft to Sidney Crosby has never bothered him and there's a personality there that sells in a bigger hockey market.

Do the Ducks have to move him? No, but they may want to do something soon, and looking further ahead, carrying Ryan's $5.1 million per season cap hit will make the squeeze a little tighter after next season when both Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry become unrestricted free agents. It seems doubtful Anaheim can keep all three.

But that's the longer term view. Short term, the Ducks could fire coach Randy Carlyle, which seems unlikely, or they could shuffle the deck. GM Bob Murray might be of a mind right now to try and recover some of the young assets lost to Toronto in the Francois Beauchemin deal last winter. The Ducks made the playoffs and Beauchemin played well, but now the team's lousy, he's 31 years old and both Joffrey Lupul and cherubic blueliner Jake Gardiner are playing well with the Leafs.

Murray and Brian Burke have done deals before - Anaheim moved J.S. Giguere's monster contract, the Leafs dumped Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake - and it seems some teams are comfortable doing deals with certain others. Look at all the trades Vancouver and Florida have swung in recent seasons. Burke loves Ryan, and indeed, he turned down overtures from Cliff Fletcher in his final months in Anaheim when the Silver Fox was pitching hard for Ryan.

So should the Leafs be interested now? Yes. Does it matter than Ryan's another scoring winger, not a centre? Not really. The Leafs are in the business of acquiring top six forwards as assets. The positional balance can be addressed later. Is Ryan's salary a problem? He's got three more years after this one at $5.1 million. That's hefty, but not a cap crippler for a team like the Leafs.

Which brings us to the cost, and here's the tricky part. Ryan's a 30-35 goal man, a real stylist out there, not surprising for a legendary roller hockey player. But he doesn't really have a physical component to his game, he's not an accomplished penalty killer and he's off to a so-so start this season.

You don't want to overpay, but here's a guy it's easy to get over-excited about. Obviously, a young defenceman would have to be part of a deal, and maybe that's Luke Schenn or Carl Gunnarson or Cody Franson. Nazem Kadri could be in there. Stuart Percy is a young blueliner and Leaf first round playing junior in Mississauga. Nik Kulemin might make sense, but he's having an off-year, too. With the Leafs high in the NHL standings, a 2012 first rounder could come into play.

Some combination of that group might make sense. Perhaps it's Kulemin and Franson for Ryan. Schenn and Kadri? The Leafs have assets, more than in a long time, the result of steady work by Burke and Dave Nonis over the past three years. The guessing is Anaheim would want to net a significant name, and Schenn is the one young Leaf, formerly the fifth overall in the draft, that would carry the most cache despite his ups and downs this season.

You can bet Burke will kick the tires on this one, see if Ryan really is up for grabs. He knows the young man well and believes in him, and he and Murray can do business, with the fact they're a conference apart making it a little easier for both. The guessing is the Leafs would have interest best described as "mild" to "medium," given that they've already got some offensive wingers having good seasons. But price can change desire on the NHL trade market.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[DS]

I understand where you are coming from Damien but i just don't get this move. If you look at the numbers, what the Leafs need is better defense, not more scoring. They need another shut-down type defenseman who can play big minutes and just play better overall defensively, especially on the PK. If they go for anybody it should be for Ryan Suter, not Bobby Ryan. It seems to me that Kulemin is basically the same player as Ryan. Yes, he has played poorly this year, but he is a 30-35 goal guy who plays both ways and can be physical. I would rather have him than Bobby Ryan and save the chips for a defenseman.

[JS14]

I'd be happy to part with a combo of any of the players you mentioned to land Bobby Ryan. A contending team needs to have more than just Phil Kessel scoring. This is a kid who was the consensus #2 behind the best player in the game, and who is offensively gifted. Players with 3 consecutive 30+ goal seasons are enough of a rarity, let alone one under the age of 25. Would be nice to have 2 of them.

[Jimmy]

Schenn and Kadri? Did John Ferguson come back on board? That would be the inverse of the Phaneuf trade. Absolutley idiotic. Ryan is a potential 40 goal guy, but hardly a lock for PPG status, and Kadri is. I would rather have Kadri when all is said and done, but to also include Luke Schenn? This is a guy who is just scratching the surface of his potential. A 30 minute D-man for a winger? Come on! Good thing Burke is incharge, I know he would never do something so idiotic. IS Ryan really that much better than Kulemin? Kulemin is behind Ryan in terms of development, but he's more physical and better defensivly and might get , what , 10 less goals per year? I love Bobby Ryan, but Anaheim would have to be dumb to take a package from the Leafs that would make sense from a Toronto perspective.

[Rob]

This doesn't make any sense for the Leafs. They have enough similar players. I would not trade Kulemin and another player for Ryan. Kulemin can score as many goals and is better defensively. I heard that he's been affected by the plane crash and lost a lot friends which is impacting his play. He will be alright.
If the Leafs are headed for the playoffs, the first thing I would do is get a veteran player to help with all the young guys. I think this would help with their inconsistent play.

[Maddog 53]

It would not bother me if Schenn were part of this package. I have always felt he is an overrated one dimensional player albeit one with great character. However since Burke had a chance to move him on draft day to get Tavares, I can't see him moving him now for a lesser talent. Ryan certainly would be an instant top 6 on most every team. I would not want to part with Kulemin who is by all accounts one of the hardest working players the Leafs have. Kadri and his attitude however I would trade in a heartbeat.

[Bob Holden]

You need a lot of good players to become a contender. I think Burke has done a good job accumulating assets since he has been with Toronto. If there is a deal there he will without doubt consider it. Cap management trading stars to the other conference are a big part of NHL today.

[Chris]

Don't forget about Grabovski. If I'm Bob Murray and Brian Burke calls me inquiring about Ryan, I want a roster player and a prospect to start the conversation. Depending on the quality of the first two variables a draft pick becomes involved. For example if the roster plyaer is Franson and the prospect is Kadri then I think that's enough. If the roster player is Schenn and the prospect is Blacker or Holzer then a 1st round pick is involved. I think if Burke offered up something like Franson or Schenn, Grabovski, a mid level prospect like D'Amigo and a conditional draft pick (on whether or not Grabovski re-signs)that might satisfy me as I'm getting scoring depth in a much needed 2nd line centre, a good young D man and a decent prospect.

[Matt B]

I can see why some fans would balk at this but you can always replace a Schenn-type player, but that can't be said about a Ryan-type player. They don't often come available and he should be sought after.

Though, I get the feeling that Murray doesn't want to be fleeced by Burke again. All trades with the two teams have tilted heavily in the Leafs favour.

[Farhaan]

keep Kadri and Schenn, Look elsewhere for a top 4 defencemen, I like Franson more than Komasaraik and I think we need a better #3 defencemen, I feel Gunnerson lacks the grit to handle bigger forwards in front of the net and battle on the boards. I see Gunnerson as a similar player to Kaberle but not as accurate passing.
I would like Ryan but not for Kadri or Biggs, we tried to Pat Quinn and Ferg way trade high prospects for mid aged guys and we know how that turned out.
Stay par and look for defence.

[Peter]

did I see that right? You saying the Leafs should trade a first round draft pick? Really?

[Niall]

I don't think Ron Wilson is too fond of Kadri, and wouldn't mind seeing him as part of the deal, personally!

[Jason]

If it's Kulemin and Franson I make this deal in a heartbeat. I'd even throw in a 2012 pick. If it's Schenn and Kadri, then I'd say no. Kadri is going to be a Top 6 forward and Schenn has shown long-term growth that indicates he could be a leader on this team down the road. For a guy who can score 30-35 goals but not be an all-round player as you point out, I think Franson, Kulemin and a 1st rounder make a lot of sense for both clubs.

[gordon]

Bobby Ryan is RIGHT NOW and Nazem Kadri is SOMETIME down the road. If Brian Burke thinks he can go deep into the playoffs this year or next year by packaging Luke Schenn with Kadri for Bobby Ryan, it's a no-brainer. I'd do it in a heartbeat. Ditto for Schenn/Kulemin, Franson/Kadri or Franson/Kulemin. Burke has stocked up well on the blueline and is carrying seven NHL calibre defensemen with an eighth, Aulie, in the wings. It's time to stop sitting one and make a decision, especially when the one you've been sitting is making over $4 million per year. The chances Anaheim would do any of those deals are slim to none though and would more likely try to move Ryan Getzlaf - and even that is highly doubtful. It's not like Selanne can keep playing like a 28 year old much longer.

[Pat Cashman]

Trading Luke Schenn makes terrific sense as he was a terrible choice by Fletcher. "Just scratching the surface." I don't think so. If Schenn was a highly skilled, terrific skating, smart player I wold say he has potential. He has none of those qualities and he often looks out of position. I would throw in Franson as well as a token of thanks because Anaheim would be helping Toronto greatly taking that terrible prospect(?) off Toronto's hands. I felt Burke should have offered Schenn 1.5 million and then traded him. With Komiserak back, Schenn is 6th in depth.

[Maurice Gull]

Leafs are a bit tight to the Cap - so, they would have to get Ducks to take some major contracts back. I might part with Gunnarson, who is solid, but very vanilla out there - I don't wish to part with Schenn, who is starting to rebound into form. We have 3 flashy offensive d-men - we kinda need Luke's style. Would Ducks take the 2 Russians (Grabo, Kuli) and Gunnarson? they throw in a 3rd round pick? That would make second line of Connolly, Ryan, and MacArthur, but would Burke give up that much? Although the notion is a valid one, Damien, I just don't think the pieces work for both teams.

[Bill k.]

The leafs finally have a lot of nice goodies and they're not under pressure to trade. maybe this is the time to put the charactyer of the team together.Can i get a chris neal or neal type to play with kessel and bozak/connoly. That lets me put lupul offence on another line. Or instad of ryan what about perry. A big skilled center with kessel and we can still use lupul on another line.Or what about that defence. It still has room to improve naturally. But could we get a suter ..or weber. The goal is the Bruins. We can match up pretty well now in depth and skil with a bit more speed. But as seen swith vancouver when push comes to shove the bruins usually have enough. If we can through out pairings of phaneuf and webber shift after shift. It's a tall order but nobody thought Phaneuf was coming and we got Aulie too. Let me ask you..if I go out on the ice with kessel,lupul, phaneuf, webber, connoly..do I have a shot at the cup?

[Sandro]

This would be a no-brainer. You cant have enough top 6 players. I love Kulemin, but if we can trade Kulemin and one other asset, say Blacker i would do this in a heartbeat. Kulemin has never come close to PPG status, whereas Bobby has.

[Ami Angelwings]

"Absolutley idiotic. Ryan is a potential 40 goal guy, but hardly a lock for PPG status, and Kadri is."

Kadri is a lock for point per game status? o_O

[Conn Smythe]

Trade a 1st rounder, Cox? Haven't you written numerous articles about a few things that the Leafs need to do to get back on the road to respectability - and one thing that you wrote was for the Leafs NOT to trade anymore 1st rounders!? And weren't you ripping on the Leafs a few years ago when their was the rumour that Fletcher wanted to trade the Leafs 1st and Mathieu Schneider (plus) for Ryan? I like Ryan, but let's proceed with caution here. If he was available (big if) I'd offer Schenn/Franson and maybe one of Grabo, Kulemin and or a lower level pick/prospect. No Kadri.

[High Sticks Champ]

Well the first and only criteria for Brian Burke to make a trade is: Is the Player American?

If yes, proceed with trade.

Looks like Bobby Ryan is coming soon to an ACC near you. Followed by the resurrection of Mike Richter, Mike Modano, Brian Leetch and the 1980 Miracle on Ice team.

The American Maple Leafs are here to stay.

[jimmy]

There are some insane things posted in this form: Gunnerson reminds you of Kaberle? In what way? Do you watch hockey? The things being said about Schenn are also crazy. Luke Schenn is 22 and playing the toughest position to master in pro sports, and also the most unforgiving: Defensive Defensemen dont score so they only get critisized for 'being out of position' , and not noticed when they make a good play. I also hate hearing about Kadri's supposed 'attitude'. Have you met him? Did'nt think so. And yes, Kadri is an absolute lock to be a ppg player in the NHL. His skill level is off the charts. He will be a 30 goal 70 assist player, centering Kessel for the next decade. I guarentee it. His potential is greater than Bobby Ryans. To trade him straight up would be bad, to include Luke Schenn is beyond dumb. As for any of the other trade proposals 'chris' has the most laughable. If Burke called Anaheim and said Kulemin, Grabovski, Blacker and a first for Ryan, he'd get hung up on.

[Leafbusiness]

Are you kidding, Kadri and Schenn for Ryan, that's ridiculous, what do think Burke has lost his marbles? He doesn't owe Murray anything. I wouldn't acquire Ryan in a deal that included Kadri or Kulemin. This is a terrible assessment.

[Drew M]

Moving Schenn and another spare part for Ryan would be a coupe for the Leafs. Defensive D-mans with limited to no offensive upside can be easily replaced. Plus, any drop off from replacing Schenn with Aulie is negligible. In fact, with Aulie size and nasty edge, maybe an upgrade over Schenn.

I wouldn't be so keen to move Franson. Big body D-man WITH offensive upside are hard to find. Have people already forgotten how bad Toronto look for giving up on Larry Murphy so easily?

Having said that, Burke probably will wait out the Ducks on this one. Pay for Ryan now or get both Perry and Getzlaf as UFA on Canada Day? Ducks aren't exactly in position to call the shots.

[Chop]

Well, Ryan is an American, and conscious or not, Burke likes having them, perhaps due to his familiarity with from the Olympic team . He is a very skilled player though, crazy hands, a game breaker, and the sort of character that would complement Kessel well.

I always though the Leafs really should pay big for a big, top line centre, rather than another fairly one dimensional scoring winger... but such centres are rare. This deal might just happen if Anaheim continues to slump.

[TMLLOL]

Kadri and Schenn...

An AHLer and an average Dman for Bobby Ryan? Throw a 1st in their and you might have a chance. Better yet, throw 2 1sts and 2nd in.