Armchair GM Poll: Re-Sign Or Release Michael Ryder?
By Phil DeHaven
As the 2014-2015 NHL season for the New Jersey Devils draws closer and closer to ending, I’ve decided to start a new series of poll posts called “Armchair GM.” These Armchair GM polls will get your input on which of the Devils 8 unrestricted free agents you would bring back if you were in the shoes of current GM Lou Lamoriello. In each post I will list the pros and cons for the player along with their stats and my prediction on what they could realistically produce if re-signed.
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First up on the list of the unrestricted free-agent list for New Jersey is forward
Michael Ryder. Ryder originally came to the Devils after signing a two-year deal that would give him $3.5 million annually. He was signed in hopes that he would come into New Jersey and be a key scorer for the Devils, but as we all know he hasn’t lived up to expectations.
In his first season in New Jersey, Ryder played in all 82 games and had a fairly productive season as he was tied for 3rd on the team in goals (18) and had 16 assists. His 34 points would be good enough for 6th most on the team. This season would unfortunately not turn out so well for Ryder and as a result he would fall out of favor quickly in the eyes of the fans and management.
Ryder has only played 47 games this season and it doesn’t look as if he will be playing another game for the Devils this season as he has been a healthy scratch since March 20th. This season Ryder has scored just 6 goals to go with 13 assists and has not played much since Peter DeBoer was fired. While there might be a direct correlation in the steady decline of his playing time due to the regression of his scoring ability, one thing that is evident is that the temporary coaching staff of Lamoriello, Oates and Stevens do not like what Ryder has brought this season.
We may never know why Lou did not trade Ryder at the deadline, but it probably isn’t too far-fetched to assume it was because no teams wanted to give up anything of value for him. With it being clear that he isn’t the same player he once was like when he scored a career-high 35 goals for Dallas during the 2011-2012 season, the question now becomes what could he realistically be able to produce if re-signed for next season?
In the 2012-2013 season prior to signing with New Jersey, Ryder played in 46 total games after being traded from Dallas to Montreal. In those 46 games he scored 16 goals with 19 assists for 35 points, (while as I mentioned earlier) he has only contributed 6 goals and 13 assists for 19 points in 47 games this season.
Apr 11, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Montreal Canadiens right wing Michael Ryder (73) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the First Niagara Center. Canadiens beat the Sabres 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Lou Lamoriello has already publicly stated that the Devils will be actively looking to add a couple of scoring forwards so with some added scoring around him I could see Ryder’s numbers increase from this season but not significantly. If re-signed I would project Ryder to play around 50 games and score 10 goals with 20 assists for 30 points.
With all that being said, in my opinion I would not re-sign Ryder. He hasn’t been the player most of us thought he would be and honestly doesn’t bring that much to the Devils lineup. The only way I re-sign Ryder is if he comes back on a one-year $1 million deal, but after making $3.5 million the last two seasons he will probably receive a contract elsewhere for around $2-2.5 million a year.
What are your thoughts? Would you re-sign Michael Ryder if you were Lou Lamoriello or would you let him walk? Please vote in the poll below and feel free to share any thoughts on this in the comments section below.