Edmonton Oilers veteran forward Derek Ryan has been recalled from the AHL, and speaking to the media he candidly admitted that he accepted the demotion for salary cap reasons and is returning for locker room ones.
Insiders have previously reported that Ryan was recalled because players on the roster were unhappy the veteran was cut from the team - and not he seemed to confirm that.
Oilers forward Derek Ryan confirms reasons behind waivers and roster move
When speaking to media today, the 38 year old veteran Ryan confirmed the reasons behind the roster move to the AHL being a salary cap casualty, and he was brought back for locker room reasons.
Yeah, obviously it's a tough time, never what you want to happen especially at this point in my career. But obviously a sacrifice I was willing to make for this team for the cap space, and the roster to be put together as it is now.- Derek Ryan
It's incredible to hear the veteran accept a tough move to the minors this late in his career, and accepting the decision as a reality of the salary cap.
Ryan battled through a tough situation to help the Oilers on their books, and it helped the team bring in new additions like John Klingberg and Kasperi Kapanen.
The veteran center also was able to teach the youngsters in the AHL some valuable lessons from his journeyman career, but the entire experience living away from his family took a major mental toll on him.
I don't wanna brag but, I have some detail in my game, some aspects of my game that some guys can try to emulate and learn from.Obviously it was hard being away from the family, living in a hotel for three weeks. Being on the road, kind of grinding it was a struggle mentally. But the hockey was good.
Derek Ryan having impact on Oilers and Condors locker rooms
Ryan noted that while he didn't want to be in the AHL, he was still trying to set a good example of professional conduct on the Condors. However, some players down there aren't doing the same.
I knew I'd be back here eventually, and what can I do to be an impact player when I come back here, in the locker room as well.Obviously I didn't want to be there, but you can't have that attitude. I've seen a lot of guys from my time in Charlotte and now in Bakersfield, you see guys that are just sour to be there. You can't be like that. It's a cancer. Nobody wants to be around you.
Ryan may have just been grouping in Bakerfield to his previous AHL experiences, but it's interesting to hear him say some players aren't happy to be stuck down there. Perhaps the only player who expected to be an NHLer was Josh Brown.
For now, it's great to see the vet DR back with the Edmonton Oilers. If they go on another long playoff run and hoist the Stanley Cup, his work over the last 4 seasons deserves appreciation and a roster spot.
