NHL.com asked 9 staff writers to weigh in as to the “most surprising player” in the NHL this season, and Boston-based Amalie Benjamin picked Red Wings forward Bobby Ryan:
Bobby Ryan, Detroit Red Wings
I expected Ryan to help the Red Wings — I called it my favorite signing of Oct. 9, the first day of free agency this offseason — but I didn’t expect him to make this much of an impact already. The forward has scored four goals in seven games; the Red Wings have 16 as a team. He scored eight points (five goals, three assists) in 24 games with the Ottawa Senators last season. Ryan recently said that a fresh start was welcome for him, after he took an extended leave of absence last season to enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. He returned later in the season and won the Masterton Trophy as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. It’s looked so far like the change has worked. — Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
