MLive’s Ansar Khan wrote a fine article regarding Bobby Ryan, who is attempting to land a job with the Red Wings while on a professional try-out, and the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan’s article from training camp today fills out the rest of the situation:
“You feel like you’re on a shorter leash,” Ryan said Monday during a Zoom call with media. “I can say with absolute certainty you feel tighter and a little more restrictive. I am fortunate that I’ve been here and I know the coaching staff. I have a good rapport with everyone in the room.”
Ryan, 34, was an unrestricted free agent over the summer after scoring seven goals with seven assists for the Wings last season. After getting a few nibbles from interested teams, but nothing concrete and not hearing from the Wings, Ryan decided to be patient and wait.
While watching the Lions and Green Bay Packers last Monday night, Ryan got a call from the Wings about the chance to come to camp on a tryout. He took it.
“There were a very select few places I was holding out that I hoped would call, and this was No. 1,” Ryan said. ” I’m happy it did work out, even if it was short notice. They realize how much I wanted to be here and loved being here last year. No place has felt this comfortable for me throughout my career. I hope it leads to good things going forward. I just have to take care of the on-ice stuff and go from there.”
I believe that players like Ryan and Gagner who want to be a Red Wing should be, as long as they can contribute. Nothing makes you play harder than being appreciative and feeling at home