Mike Van Ryn - A Closer Look
Posted 11:40 PM ET | Comments 9
The Bryan McCabe trade finally became official today as the Leafs ended an almost 8 year relationship with the 33 year old defenseman. So much has been written about McCabe in the last couple months but what do we know about the man the Leafs received in return? Mike Van Ryn has been a Leaf for under 12 hours and already people are speculating about his future (or lack there of) within the Leafs organization. Most notably, prominent Leafs writer Howard Berger speculated that he will have to fight to crack the Leafs opening line-up. Well, make no mistake about it, Van Ryn will at least get a shot at being a contributing top 6 defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs this year. He has the potential to log 20 minutes a game as indicated by his past.
As per nhl.com, here are some tidbits about the newest Leaf. Mike Van Ryn was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 1998 draft with their 1st pick, 26th overall but never played a game for them. He was a member of Canada's National Junior team in 1999. He is relatively young at age 29 and has shown some offensive flair with back to back 37 point seasons in 2003/2004 and 2005/2006 (2004/2005 was the lockout in case you live under a rock). Van Ryan has a salary cap hit of 2.9 million for this season and 2009/2010. A serious wrist injury limited Van Ryn to only 20 games last year and he has indicated that he is now 100% healthy.
Training camp is only a couple weeks away and with a logjam at Defense for the Leafs, Van Ryn has his work cut out for him in order to re-establish himself as a promising young NHL talent. I think before we all rush to judge him, we should let his play to the talking, and thankfully that's coming up very soon.
As per nhl.com, here are some tidbits about the newest Leaf. Mike Van Ryn was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 1998 draft with their 1st pick, 26th overall but never played a game for them. He was a member of Canada's National Junior team in 1999. He is relatively young at age 29 and has shown some offensive flair with back to back 37 point seasons in 2003/2004 and 2005/2006 (2004/2005 was the lockout in case you live under a rock). Van Ryan has a salary cap hit of 2.9 million for this season and 2009/2010. A serious wrist injury limited Van Ryn to only 20 games last year and he has indicated that he is now 100% healthy.
Training camp is only a couple weeks away and with a logjam at Defense for the Leafs, Van Ryn has his work cut out for him in order to re-establish himself as a promising young NHL talent. I think before we all rush to judge him, we should let his play to the talking, and thankfully that's coming up very soon.
Van Ryn in Toronto doesn't make sense long-term...$2.9 is way too much to pay a 29-yr old defensemen with little upside. He just wont pan out like his 1st round pick indicated. Hopefully he can prove he is healthy to which we can peddle him for a pick.
I wonder how long his wrist will last before re-injury
My prediction, Van Ryn makes the opening day roster is rotten, says wrist is fine.plods through an unproductive first month or two while visiting medical specialists all over North America. Early December it is decided the wrist never healed properly and season ending sugery will be reqired.wow what an imagination I have.
That's right goldenj, you've already overpaid for all the 29 year-old d-men with little upside that you need...see Jeff Finger.
Van Ryn's 2008/09 Salary is $3,350,000 according to the NHLPA, but with a cap hit of $2,900,000. Might make him harder to trade if his salary continues to increase next year. I'd like to ditch White over any other D-man, and I'd like to see Van Ryn make the club. I imagine he won't have an problems earning a spot. Even if management tells the coach to play the kids, they'll have to give Van Ryn ice time to stirr up any trade interest. At the very very worst, the benefit here is he can be moved to the minors, unlike McCabe. Glad to have him though, being from London myself!
I think the excess forwards and d-men are simply a way to shake up the team (rather everyone trying out for the team). The thinking is-- the more competition there is for a job, the more likely the team gets 100% out of every player. Should be an effective way to change the culture over a relatively short time.As for Van Ryn.. he's another name that could be on the team when the new coach makes his picks. The good thing is, he has something to prove after the injury last year.
I'm pretty shocked White wasnt moved earlier this summer. He is not your Fletcher/Wilson type of player and simply hasnt performed up to expectations. However, Fletcher let Wellwood go for nothing and I think he might be regretting the fact that he let him go at his lowest point. Certainly a year earlier he would of been more valuable. Perhaps White can gain some trade value playing this season? I do concur that White should not be in the top 6 on the depth chart.
Wow. Does everyone forget that McCabe wasn't up to his potential when he came here? I think that he should be a top 4 D. Give him a chance and see what he can do. As for moving White, there will be teams interested, like the Rangers who seem to be short on D-men. Especially cheap ones with upside. Should be able to pry away a good pick from them.
McCabe was 25 when he came here, and he had wrists... those are pretty important for hockey players to have...