Bobby Ryan: The Contract Situation

First, being able to discern between a player whose talents are replaceable and one whose aren’t is not being dismissive. I’ve said several times that Bobby is talented, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find goals someplace else. Moreover, I don’t think we know Lupul’s upper limit. I think that’s an artificial claim meant to strengthen your position. Lupul is only 26. He is barely entering his prime. If he really clicks on that line, maybe he scores 40-50 goals. Before you say I’m being ridiculous, let me remind you of Jonathan Cheechoo, who scored 56 goals on a line with Thornton.

Speaking of Jonathan Cheechoo, he scored 28 goals his second year in the league and 56 in his third. Where is he now? I believe he’s an unsigned free agent who got bought out by his last team. Again, I don’t see how being cautious about a guy who throws up a bunch of goals is the same as being dismissive.

Now, let’s clear a few things up. I don’t have a debate background; I have a speech background. I know to some people there isn’t a difference, but there is to me. Furthermore, as any good rhetorical scholar can tell you, there is always purpose to words. People say things for specific reasons, and specific messages within specific contexts can be fairly accurately deciphered. So the real question is, am I insisting on reading between the lines, or are you refusing to read the writing on the wall. In the Bobby for Three Years Explained comments, Arthur already gave a good argument as to why Bobby is trying to get out of here. For me to still be accused of reading between the lines after that seems disingenuous. ALL the signs point to Bobby trying to force Anaheim to do one of two things: pay him a contract the organization can’t afford, or let him get top dollar someplace else.

Finally, Let’s address the line argument. Getz and Perry weren’t the top line until after they’d been with the team for about 2 1/2 seasons. Their numbers have been on a steady rise no matter their assignment. In fact, when they became the top line and faced better competition, their numbers went up more. When they were the on the second line with Penner, they helped us win a Cup. During the 1A, 1B time, right after the Cup and the trading of McDonald, they still produced. Even so, your questioning of my analysis misses the whole point of my argument. Bobby got to play with better players. Getzlaf and Perry got good together, Bobby Ryan got to play with Getzlaf and Perry after they had become good. While Getz and Perry had to work to discover who they were, Bobby benefited from being able to play with guys who had been in the league a few years. That Cup year was Getzlaf and Perry’s first full year, and they played with Penner. All three of them were essentially rookies. Getz had 58 points and Perry had 44. Even if Bobby was playing against tougher defensive assignments, he was doing it with better players. At that point, any argument about the line goes away.

If you were to ask me to differentiate between Perry and Ryan, I’d also point out that Perry had 49 assists this year and Bobby had 29. Perry creates more offense for other people than Bobby, because he’ll go into tough areas. I’d also point out that, on average, Perry’s shots are taken closer to the net than Bobby’s, which would also indicate a willingness to get into tougher areas. Of course, If you want to say that Corey isn’t working, that’s your prerogative.

I get called the Devil’s advocate around here, but let’s keep this in mind. A devil’s advocate is one who intentionally offers the contradictory opinion. In other words, there must be some consensus that Bobby needs to stay in order for me to be the Devil’s advocate. If that is the case, then we are in a position where I am the only one who is trying to approach this from the attitude that maybe Bobby Ryan shouldn’t be an automatic signing. That’s just being a critical thinker. I’m trying not to let my inherent bias get in the way, which I am normally very bad at. Aside from that, it seems to me like I’m making arguments, but only getting questions and speculations in return. That should say a lot. It sounds to me like you just really want to save Bobby Ryan at all costs, and that anybody who says otherwise is coming from an inherently flawed position.

For what? An 7th rounder? That would be like the Islanders trading Dipi. Its damned impossible.