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Someone on TSN had a great quote a couple days ago about Bobby Ryan. He said “if you have a guy who 29 other teams want, don’t trade him.” To a certain extent, that’s very true. But all indications have pointed towards the fact that Ducks GM Bob Murray is indeed listening to offers with some intent of shipping off the budding young superstar.

Here at HockeyBuzz, Eklund has provided us with an abundance of Bobby Ryan coverage. Teams like Toronto, Philadelphia and a few others continually pop up in his discussions, nothing really shocking about any of those teams. What does surprise me is that there hasn’t been a reported ounce of interest from Steve Yzerman and the Lightning camp.

Offensively, this team is struggling right now. There is a huge question about depth as, after Stamkos, St. Louis and Lecavalier, there isn’t a lot going on offensively for this team. St. Louis has been a great warrior for this franchise. I would argue that he has singlehandedly built this team from the ground up. His heart is worn on his sleeve every time he steps onto the ice. With all that said, he is 36 years old. In normal people years, that’s closing in on 105. The day St. Louis hangs up the skates will be a really sad one in Tampa. He should have his jersey up in the rafters the day he retires.

The other “core members” are Lecavalier, 31, Malone, 32, and Purcell, 26. Of course, I’m leaving Stamkos and Connolly out of this little discussion as they are definitely players to build around going forward. Out of the three guys I’ve listed above, Purcell is the closest to his prime and even then he isn’t an offensive force by definition. Sure, he’s an offensive forward, but he’s no Bobby Ryan.

This team is aging, and aging fast. A move needs to be made to bring in another young star to compliment Steven Stamkos in the Lightning’s quest for a second Stanley Cup. The question becomes what would it take to get a deal done with the Ducks for Ryan?

Early reports indicate that the Ducks would want a top 6 forward, a solid defenseman and a pick or prospect in exchange for Ryan. Obviously to get a player like Ryan you are going to have to give up a lot. So what do the Lightning have that would be of interest to the Ducks?

Well for starters, I think the Ducks would probably want Connolly. He is an affordable young player that is going to have a really great National Hockey League career. Now, if I’m Steve Yzerman I’m not just handing over Connolly in any package to get Ryan. There needs to be a bigger, package deal in order for Connolly to be thrown in.

So what’s the appeal for the Lightning in Ryan? Well you’re getting a guy who has done nothing but score 30 goals a season for the past few years. In all honesty, I don’t think there’s any reason that this guy can’t get to 40 when put in the right situations. He’s your typical offensive power forward who knows how to use his body to create open spaces. Can you imagine him with Stamkos and St. Louis? That line would almost instantly be the best in the league.

Ryan’s cap hit is an affordable (for what you’re getting) one of just over $5million. The Lightning are a budget team so they would have to send some salary back to Anaheim. Keeping that in mind, sometimes you make sacrifices to get great players like Ryan.

Steve Yzerman, take a good look at this team’s depth right now and moving forward. It’s time that everyone realizes just how much help this team is going to need in a few years. Ryan is a great place to start.

Please leave your comments and Ryan proposals in the comment section below. Do you believe that Ryan is a good fit in Tampa?

Thanks for reading.

Follow me on Twitter: @michaelstuart93
Filed Under:   tampa   bay   lightning   bobby   ryan   trade   yzerman  
December 2, 2011 7:06 PM ET | Delete
How about Connelly, two firsts plus a cap dump?
December 2, 2011 7:09 PM ET | Delete
I think that's overpaying. Even though Ryan's a star, this team still is going to need to build through the draft. Yzerman spent a lot of time with Detroit's front office. Trading draft picks isn't that model.
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Blog Archive

01 Lightning News and Notes to Start December
02 Why Bolts Must Get Into Bobby Ryan Trade Discussions
02 Breaking News: Lightning Make Minor Trade with Panthers
03 10 Bold Predictions for Rangers vs. Lightning Game
04 Lightning Lose to Rangers: My Prediction Round Up
06 Simply Embarassing: Lightning Drop 5th Straight to Islanders
08 Lightning Beat Rangers to End Losing Streak - Mixed Bag
10 The 1-3-1 Returns: Flyers Take on Bolts at Wells Fargo
11 Lightning Fall to Flyers: The Slot Looks Like a Drive-Thru
12 From Bad to Worse + Lightning Sign Miettinen
14 Lightning Talk: Defensemen to Target in Free Agent Frenzy
14 Scenario
15 Bolts Squeeze By Flames Thanks to Dominant Second Period
17 Lightning Should Make a Push for Shea Weber
18 Bolts Down Blue Jackets + Rumor Round-Up
20 Why the Lightning WILL make the Playoffs This Season
22 Lightning Embarrassed by Sharks in San Jose: U-G-L-Y
22 Tampa Bay Lightning: I Want Your Opinions
23 Bolts vs. Avalanche: A Long-Winded Game Preview
24 Bolts Lose to Avalanche in Goalie Battle + Rumor Round-Up
25 Risky Business: Victor Hedman and Other Top-5 D-Men
26 Flyers vs. Bolts Shaping Up to be a Great Game -- Preview
27 Next 6 Games Vital for Lightning + My Predictions
27 Bryzgalov Shaky as Lightning Beat Up on Flyers
29 A Tale of Two Underperforming Teams: Bolts vs. Canadiens
29 A V for Vinny, a V for Victory: Bolts Down Habs 4-3
30 Bolts/Canes Preview + HB Hotstove Response + Rumor Update
31 Lightning Defeat 'Canes 5-2 on Phil Esposito Night