(Note: This story was supposed to run in Saturday’s editions, but due to baseball playoffs and prep football could not make its way in.)
Bobby Ryan may very well have the breakout NHL season the Ducks are hoping for, but that’s on hold for now.
In a move viewed as a money-saving possibility for weeks, the Ducks sent Ryan to their AHL training camp in Iowa City prior to Friday’s 4-1 preseason win over the Phoenix Coyotes at Honda Center. The move relieves the burden of Ryan’s $1.7 million salary-cap hit, including $925,000 in bonuses, and leaves the Ducks’ training camp roster at 25 players, two over the opening-day maximum.
“In the new world of the NHL, cap issues are cap issues and this falls into this category,” Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle said. “It’s not a question of if he’s going to play in the NHL, it’s when.”
Ryan had two goals and an assist in the preseason, all in the Ducks’ opener against the San Jose Sharks on Sept. 24. After the Ducks placed him on waivers Thursday, forward Joakim
Lindstrom was claimed by the Chicago Blackhawks. Goalie David LeNeveu, forward Josh Green and defenseman Brennan Evans went unclaimed and are expected to report to Iowa.