MLive’s Ansar Khan took note of Bobby Ryan’s somewhat telling remarks regarding the 34-year-old’s chances of making the Red Wings as a pro try-out, with Ryan hoping to earn a spot on Detroit’s third or fourth line:
“When I look at the lineup here, and I’m realistic, the top-six is pretty well spoken for, as well it should be, those guys have earned that opportunity,” Ryan said. “I came in with the expectations that I would be a bottom-six player or maybe even the 13th forward, so I don’t think I can change anything.”
Ryan entered training camp without a contract for the first time in his 15-year NHL career, having to prove himself at age 34 on a professional tryout.
Once a prolific scorer, the second overall selection from the 2005 draft feels he needs to show something different in the preseason.
“I would like to broaden my game, be a little more physical, a little more demanding of the puck below the circles and holding it and ragging it instead of taking opportunities to create,” Ryan said Monday during training camp in Traverse City. “Just be a little more patient in those areas for me because your leash isn’t the same as a top-six player right now. I’m OK with that. I won’t change much but my patience level with the puck has to be a little better and I have to err on the side of caution at times. That’s part of the process as you get older and start to play different roles within the team.”