23/24 Player Profile: Derek Ryan

Last Year

Derek Ryan had exactly the season you would reasonably hope for from a 4th line centre in the NHL. Ryan played 80 games and scored 13-7-20. He hit the 20 point mark, and the 10 goal mark in his 35 year old season. He was trusted with some PK time. but he mostly cashed in all his points at even strength.

Looking at some of Ryan’s analytics is where he starts to shine through as a truly dependable 4th line player. His Corsi % finished the year at 52.66, for the Oilers who have such a potent offence especially in the top 6, the role for bottom 6 players is to avoid giving up tons of goals. With Ryan on the ice the puck was headed north more often than not. Check one for Derek Ryan.

Ryan also had a Goals For % of 56.36, meaning at even strength, out of all the goals scored while Ryan was on the ice, 56.36% of those goals were in the Oilers favour. For a 4th line forward to be outscoring the opposition at the sort of rate is a coaches dream. He managed to outscore the opposition without the help of any of the Oilers big guys. Though perhaps sometimes was boosted when the Oilers used their 11-7 lineup, meaning one of McDavid or Draisaitl would get double shifted with the guys on the 4th line like Ryan.

If Ryan could replicate those numbers the Oilers should be jumping for joy.

This Year

As far as playing time or Ice time goes, Ryan should be looking for about the same in that 8-10 minutes per game mark. He’ll be tasked with 4th line duty, keeping the opponent off the scoreboard and helping to mentor other young guys on the team, bringing a sense of calm and stability to the bottom six.

Ryan is entering his 36 year old season though, he isn’t the fastest skater on the ice either. Most 4th line players usually need speed to keep up as they hit their later 30’s, so the clock may be ticking on Ryan and his NHL career. I do think he’s got some gas left in the tank but seeing a decline in points seems likely this season.

Ryan is responsible enough defensively that I believe he should continue to outscore the opponent while he is on the ice at even strength, he might not score a lot but he’ll keep the opponents out of his own net. If his Corsi% and GF% to stay above 50% for the season I believe he’d stay in Oiler’s line up for a majority of the season. Ryan’s only other threat is some of the guys on PTO’s or other having Ken Holland bring in another centre via trade, or the decline in play due to age and not being able to keep up.

Projection

Ryan loses a step after Christmas, and is sent to the minors and over taken by either a player brought in via trade, or by someone on a PTO who spends some time in Bakersfield this season (AKA Sutter/Gagner). 56 GP scoring 7-6-12.