Bobby Ryan explains Detroit is where he's been most comfortable

The veteran forward is ready for bigger and better things.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 2 years ago
Bobby Ryan explains Detroit is where he's been most comfortable
The Athletic

The Detroit Red Wings have announced that forward Bobby Ryan, whom they signed to a one-year contract prior to the start of last season, has agreed to a professional tryout contract for the upcoming campaign, giving him a chance to spend another season in the Motor City. 

Ryan took a leave of absence from the Ottawa Senators two seasons ago in order to deal with personal issues stemming from alcohol abuse. But he completed his recovery, and scored a hat trick for good measure with Ottawa in his first game back. He was later awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his perseverance.

And after signing a one-year deal with Detroit after his contract was bought out last summer by Ottawa, his start to the season has made him among the more shrewd acquisitions by GM Steve Yzerman when he made franchise history with four goals in his first three games with the team. 

"I think they realized too how much I wanted to be here and loved being here last year," Ryan explained. "No place has felt this comfortable for me throughout my career and I hope it leads to good things going forward." 

"When I look at the lineup here, and I’m realistic, the top-six is pretty well spoken for, as well it should be, those guys have earned that opportunity,” Ryan said. “I came in with the expectations that I would be a bottom-six player or maybe even the 13th forward, so I don’t think I can change anything.”

Ryan explained that he got the call from the Red Wings for the tryout contract while watching Monday Night Football.

“There is a very select few places I was holding out that I hoped would call and this was No. 1, so I’m happy it did work out even if it was short notice,” he said.

Source: MLive