Derek Ryan’s life was turned upside down this week when the 38-year-old veteran of 600 NHL games was put on waivers. He cleared, with no takers for his services, opening the door for a trip to the farm in Bakersfield.
He was in the minors once before but that was nine years ago, when he had been playing in Europe, signed with Carolina and started his North American pro career in Charlotte, the Hurricanes AHL affiliate. He made the NHL at 29 and had never left until a few days ago, when he lost his place here to open up a fourth-line centre roster spot for Noah Philp — another former U of Alberta Golden Bears forward.
Now what’s in store for the hard-working Ryan, a former team Masterton trophy candidate for exhibiting perseverance and dedication to hockey, who will be making $900,000 in the minors? It sounds like it might be the same story as Sam Gagner last season, when the veteran spent the last few months in Bakersfield, rejoining the team for their playoff run. Gagner didn’t get into a game, though. Ryan played 19 of Oilers 25 games in their race to the Cup final last spring, including the last five games against Florida.
Whenever he’s brought back, he hopes he’s not a sitter.
“I foresee Derek being back in our lineup at some time,” said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch.
“This is a different situation for Derek as opposed to, say, a 20-year-old being sent down. If a 20-year-old gets sent down, we’d expect him to play every game, be at every practice, because it’s important for their development.”
“With Derek I don’t think that’s the case. It’s not crucial he plays every single game, is at every single practice there, but if he was not to partake in any of it? At some point we’re going to need him and he’ll be with our team again. It’ll depend in what role, whether there’s injuries and all that stuff.”
“It’s important he plays some and practises, but maybe he’s not there all the time and gets to spend some time with his family. We’re balancing that,” said Knoblauch of Ryan’s stint with the Bakersfield Condors.
Ryan was on the Oilers No. 1 penalty-kill last season with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but Adam Henrique assumed that partnership this year. Ryan has had only spot duty on the PK, but has remained an excellent face-off man with a winning percentage over 60 per cent. He’s been on the fourth line all season, with a goal and five points in 33 games. But not taking a regular PK rotation has cut into his minutes.
Philp is younger, at 26, bigger, and also a right-shot centre.
He’s still finding his way. He only played five minutes and change against Washington Capitals Tuesday in the 3-2 loss, with Knoblauch double-shifting Leon Draisaitl in the second period. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but they were playing catch-up.
With Connor McDavid suspended and Ryan going to the AHL, the Oilers have 12 forwards. Kasperi Kapanen and Corey Perry are the regular wingers on the fourth line with Philp centring those two veterans.