Dallas Signs Michael Ryder to Two-Year Deal

[caps05]

Frisco, Tex. – The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has agreed to terms with right wing Michael Ryder on a two-year contract worth $7 million.

“Michael Ryder is a veteran player who brings scoring punch to our offense,” Nieuwendyk said. “He’s a Stanley Cup champion and will be a great addition to our leadership group. We’re very excited that he is a Dallas Star.”

Ryder, 31, has played in 549 career NHL games, scoring 162 goals and 172 assists for 334 points. He was a member of the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins last season, skating in 79 games and collecting 41 points (18g, 23a) and 26 penalty minutes. During the playoffs Ryder dressed in 25 games, posting 17 points (8g, 9a) and 8 penalty minutes. He led the Bruins in power play goals last season with eight and ranked tied-for-second in game-winning goals with six.

The Bonavista, New Foundland, native skated in all 82 games in 2009-10 with Boston, tallying 33 points (18g, 15a) and 35 penalty minutes. During the playoffs he played in 13 games for the Bruins, posting five points (4g, 1a) and two penalty minutes. In the 2008-09 campaign, Ryder posted 27 goals and 26 assists for 53 points in 74 games. Among all NHL players he ranked 11th in plus/minus during that season at with a +28 rating. During the playoffs that season Ryder accrued 13 points (5g, 8a) in 11 games for Boston.

The 6-0, 192-pound right wing has never finished a season with less than 30 points and has scored 25-or-more goals in four of his seven NHL seasons. Of his 162 career NHL goals, 71 have been while on the power play and 29 were game-winning goals. Ryder has skated in 70 career playoff games with Montreal and Boston, posting 43 points (20g, 23a), including four game-winning goals and five power play goals. He was originally drafted by Montreal in the eighth round (216th overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

[MattBurger]

$3.5 million a year???

Dallas fans can have fun watching this guy take 75% of the games off during the season.

[NJDevils17]

Originally Posted by MattBurger

$3.5 million a year???

Dallas fans can have fun watching this guy take 75% of the games off during the season.

Well at least he showed up in the playoffs (particularly in the Montreal series where I thought he was one of their best forwards).

Considering some of the other moves being made recently, this isn't a bad deal really. Ryder can easily be a 25 goal guy and he has Stanley Cup experience now.

[ThrowdownSJ408]

steep price tag but becoming common. Dallas will suck this year again.

[MattBurger]

Originally Posted by NJDevils17

Well at least he showed up in the playoffs (particularly in the Montreal series where I thought he was one of their best forwards).

Considering some of the other moves being made recently, this isn't a bad deal really. Ryder can easily be a 25 goal guy and he has Stanley Cup experience now.

He definitely has talent. One of the best wrist shots in the game. It's just that he's so damn lazy on the ice, despite what he showed in the Montreal series this year. He's very frustrating to watch. And he's soft as hell.

[miller29]

I always liked Ryder but it is just plain amazing how many games he takes off. When he is going he can take over a game, and like Matt said, he has an amazing wrist shot. He always seems to bring his A game during the playoffs which is when it counts but it is definitely frustrating watching him glide around during the regular season.

[MattBurger]

Originally Posted by miller29

but it is definitely frustrating watching him glide around during the regular season.

That's the perfect way to describe Ryder on most nights.

[bruiser11]

No way he was going to take the hometown discount, not after his performance in the playoffs.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by bruiser11

No way he was going to take the hometown discount, not after his performance in the playoffs.

hometown? he's from Newfoundland.

anyway, steep price tag of 3.5 for a career high 58 points...

[bruiser11]

Originally Posted by bengino

hometown? he's from Newfoundland.

That's not what I meant, obviously you have never heard the term before.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by bruiser11

That's not what I meant, obviously you have never heard the term before.

i have heard the term, it usually applies to a guy that spent the majority of his career close to his hometown or with the same team... not a to a player that just finished a 3 year deal and won a cup.

[Ciccarelli]

I have a feeling he'll do well in Dallas. He is the typical goal-getter. You don't see him for some games and then he'll score the unexpected goal.

[McCunn8585]

Good signing for Dallas. At least with Ryder you know what you are getting. Very good from the red-line in. Play-off standout.

[canuck2]

a one trick pony for sure. But every team needs guys who can score and Ryder can score.
You just dont want many guys on your team who are so limited in all other areas.