Leafs ink Kenny Ryan, and his future with the club

Maple Leafs signed Kenny Ryan to a three-year entry-level deal a few days ago and seeing as I'm a Windsor native, I just wanted to throw my insight into the potential future he has with the club.

Many, including myself, expected big things from Kenny Ryan after he was dealt. But he came to Windsor on heavy stacked team and needed to find a role. He was seen as a bullish, power-forward type with a heavy shot.

What he's been for the Windsor Spitfires in his two seasons with the club is a fan favorite. Not because of his offensive contributions, but because of his tireless work-ethic. He had similar work-ethic and fan appreciation as Dale Mitchell when he was a member of the club.

Ryan isn't going to dominate offensively, but that's OK. What he is good at, is two-way play. Like I mentioned he is a tireless worker, and can really own the puck in the offensive zone. He's not the biggest guy, but he's very solid at 5'11 and around 200lbs. He'll chip in his fair share of offense.

I've seen comparisons made to Ryan Callahan and yes they have similar games IMO, but Callahan being more offensively gifted.

I think Ryan projects as a bottom-six type, but if he's able to find his offensive confidence he could be a really solid 15-20 goal player. I believe he'll be a better pro then he's been an OHL player.

As for his future with the club, I think he'll make the Marlies in a bottom-six role depending on the effort he puts into his skating this summer. He'll need to be quick and strong on his skates to compete with the big boys.

The Marlies have the following forwards potentially joining the team next year or coming back:

Marcel Mueller, Joe Colborne, Jerry D'Amigo, Tyler Brennar, Jamie Devane, Dale Mitchell,
Robert Slaney, Richard Greenop.

They also have the following RFA forwards who could potentially re-sign:

Luca Caputi, Christian Hanson, Brayden Irwin, Greg Scott, Ryan Hamilton.

Not to mention the UFA depth that is likely to be signed to make the team more competitive.

So if I had to make a mock line-up, I think Kenny Ryan could see a depth role. Taking into account Kadri joining the Maple Leafs and UFA additions:

Luca Caputi - UFA - UFA
Greg Scott - Joe Colborne - UFA
Marcel Mueller - Brayden Irwin - Tyler Brennar
Jerry D'Amigo - Kenny Ryan - Dale Mitchell
Robert Slaney, Richard Greenop

(I think Hanson could be cut/traded, Hamilton potentially walked away from, Devane sent back for an OA year, UFA's could be re-signings or new signings)

The good news for Kenny Ryan is that he can line-up at center or the wing which will make him useful. He played center all year for the Spitfires so I think that could be the role he starts with on the Marlies. The potential is there for Ryan to be sent back for an OA year, but I don't think it would make sense to be sent back to a rebuilding Spitfires team.

Get Carter?

Rumors starting popping up yesterday about Jeff Carter heading to the Maple Leafs 'soon'.

Now, while it's entirely possible that Burke and co. are working on a deal to bring the big center to the buds, I'm not entirely sure he is.

Burke has said in the past that he doesn't like those 5+ year contracts that other teams are handing out. Carter at the start of the year signed an 11-year(!) contract extension with the Flyers. So why are there rumors about his pending trade?

Well for one, the Flyers need a shakeup to free some cap-space (if not a shakeup of player personnel). The obvious response to this is that it makes no sense to deal Carter in an effort to clear-up cap-space. In which I respond, true.

Also playing a factor in these rumors is his NTC that kicks in this summer. So if the Flyers want to pull the trigger on a deal they have a window to do it in which Carter has no say in his destination.

It's no secret that the Maple Leafs are looking to add a legit first-line center, but is Carter the right fit? And what would the Maple Leafs be willing to give up? One would think a Nazem Kadri or Joe Colborne would have to be in the mix. So you start with Joe Colborne + 1st round selection and add from there. On the other hand, there's Burke's reluctance to invest in any player over 5 years, which takes Carter and his lengthy contract out of the picture.

Carter is also coming off two back-to-back 60-65 point seasons. Isn't this the same type of production people (media, rival fans) are criticizing Kessel for? At least Kessel has an excuse if he needs one, Carter is playing around all-star forward talent.

Don't get me wrong, Carter would make this team that much better. But at the same time is it wise to trade a ton of assets for him? I've already read some rumored trade prices on the internet and the returns are absurd for a player who's eclipsed 'elite' totals once.

At the same time, he's young (26), and has a ton of potential to be a 40-40 guy. I don't think he's the ideal fit for Kessel (personally I think Paul Stastny fits that bill), but I also think having a big center like Carter would open up more space for Kessel to work his magic. If anything, taking pressure off of him to produce.

I wouldn't be against offering a package of future assets for Carter. I'd certainly build something around Joe Colborne + 1st in 2011, but at the same time there is concern with the length of that contract and the NTC that's strapped in with it.

Do I want him on the Maple Leafs? Yes. Would I pay more than what the Maple Leafs gave up for Kessel (prior to knowing it was a 2nd overall and 9th overall selection they were handing out)? Slightly - Carter is a bit more established than Kessel was.

It'll be interesting to see how it unfolds. At the end of the day I'd be surprised to see Carter get dealt. I think there are a few other options that will be shipped before they turn on Carter.

NHL Draft 2011: Preliminary Mock (Part 1)

Here’s my go at my first mock draft of the year. I’m going to do another one a week prior to the draft, but for now here’s my first go! My early thoughts are that I think we may see a lot of trades on the draft floor - shuffling of picks. It seems very wide open, as many in the biz have already pointed out, and that may lead to some movement.

Here's part 1 of 3 of my early mock-draft:

1. Edmonton Oilers – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C

When it comes down to it, RNH seems like the best bet in the draft – even for a team with an abundance of young forward talent. I will say this, I think this pick could be ‘had’ and I think a number of teams behind the Oil in the top 6 will make a pitch for the selection. I think ideally the Oilers would fit well with taking Larsson, but I don’t think they’ll do it 1st overall.

2. Colorado Avalanche – Adam Larsson, D

The Avalanche will continue to build from the net out with the Larsson pick. They have some of the top defensive prospects in the game, and with the addition of Erik Johnson and now Adam Larsson they should be set up for quite some time. They’ll be able to shift their focus to stellar forward talent from here on in.

3. Florida Panthers – Sean Couturier, C

The Panthers made big strides last year in their rebuild selecting three times in the first round. They’ll continue building toward their future by selecting stud centre prospect Sean Couturier. Arguably, the Panthers could go with Jonathan Hubereau at this pick, but I think Couturier will be their guy. This will give the Panthers someone to build around at forward.

4. New Jersey Devils – Dougie Hamilton, D

Winning the draft lottery will prove to be huge when they step up to the podium on June 25th. Dougie Hamilton will give the Devils an all-round defensive prospect to build their defensive core around. It’ll aid in the Devils ability to build from the net out, and give them the type of player they currently lack on their roster.

5. New York Islanders – Gabriel Landerskog, LW

The Islanders would love to nab a top defensive prospect at 5th overall, but they also can’t pass up the opportunity to select Landerskog. Ryan Murphy is intriguing, but not with the forward talent still available. Again, a team I can see moving up if they can. Landerskog will compliment that top-six for the Islanders in the near future and add another player teams will hate playing against.

6. Ottawa Senators – Jonathan Huberdeau, C

Senators were leap frogged on draft day when New Jersey won the lottery, but selecting in the top 6 gives them as good a shot as any to draft one of the better players in 2011. Senators are licking their chops at the prospect of adding Jonathan Huberdeau, and adding him will fill a big void in their system. Already primed with solid defensive prospects, Huberdeau adds a great dynamic to the club going forward.

7. Atlanta Thrashers – Ryan Strome, C

The Thrashers picking at 7^th overall again will look to add a significant forward prospect and can’t overlook Ryan Strome here. He’s a great offensive talent that may be one of, if not the best forwards to come out of the draft.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets – Ryan Murphy, D

Ryan Murphy is a dream come true for the Jackets franchise who’s lacked such a defensive talent. Murphy is a dynamic defender who lacks size, but makes up for it with strong vision, high-end skill, and smooth skating. Murphy gives them a weapon from the back-end and could potentially jump into the NHL next season – although it may be wise for the Jackets to not rush him given their talent development to date.

9. Boston Bruins (from Toronto) – Duncan Siemens, D

With a plethora of offensive talent in their system, the Bruins select a potential top-pairing defender in Duncan Siemens. I don’t think you’ll see them shoot for a homerun with this pick and Siemens seems fairly safe at this spot. Given this will likely be the last time the Bruins expect to pick this high, I wouldn’t be shocked to see them try and push up further into the top 5-7.

10. Minnesota Wild – Mika Zibanejad, C

From this pick on the draft seems to open up, and the Wild don’t hesitate to select the high-impact, all-round talent Mika Zibanejad. He projects very well at the next level and should fit in with the Minnesota system. With Granlund and Zibanejad the Wild have two potential impact forwards to build around.