Bobby Ryan has decided to stay in Anaheim long term as he signed a five year deal worth $25.5mil averaging $5.1mil per season. Coming off a season which saw the 23 year old lead the Ducks with 35 goals and hit 61 points while earning a silver medal with Team USA in Vancouver, GM Bob Murray needed to lock this guy up. Murray and Ryan's agent wanted to have this process completed before July 1st but the two sides had a lot of trouble reaching an agreement on term.
"It made for a trying summer. You get phone calls from time to time, and then everybody takes a month off between those calls. I felt good about the fact that Bob made it clear he wasn't going to trade me. I made it clear I wasn't seeking trades or offer sheets. It was just more circumstance between the two sides trying to come to an agreement together." - Bobby Ryan on the summer long process.
Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are both scheduled to become UFAs in 2013 and Ryan was holding out for a chance do the same as them. Anaheim couldn't afford to potentially lose all three superstars in the same summer, so they wouldn't give Ryan that concession. Ryan was convinced by his linemates that they were committed to the organization, so he decided to sign long term.
"They would like me to hold down the fort in case one of those guys goes elsewhere...The biggest thing for me was trying to figure out where those guys (Getzlaf and Perry) were going to be moving in three years. After speaking with those guys, they are both committed to this team and organization. I felt a lot better doing a five-year deal." Ryan on choosing to stay in Anaheim.
The team couldn't be happier to have one of the best young cores in the NHL with all players directly in their prime for at the very least the next 3 years. If either or both Getzlaf and Perry decide to leave, Murray will have Ryan to rebuild around.
"Bobby didn't want to leave...Our young players want to play in Anaheim. That's fortunate for us that they do. They're all young guys, they like the fans here, and they want to stay...This is another step for Bobby. He's a big part of this hockey team, and I expect him to take that next step." - GM Bob Murray on Bobby Ryan.
The Ducks may have had a rough outing last season, but the future looks extremely bright with thier young talent.
-Dustin Lundberg
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