| Last updated at 8:30 AM on 28/04/08 |
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Montreal Canadiens Michael Ryder during a pre-game warmup in Oct. 2007 in MOntreal. — File photo by The Canadian Press |
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Ryder's story fading 
Speculation abounds in Montreal that Michael Ryder may never play again for the Canadiens
MONTREAL
PETER WALSH
The Telegram
It’s minutes before the puck drops. Montreal’s Bell Centre is pulsating with rock music. More than 20,000 fans pour in to see Game 2 of the Montreal Canadiens’ second round playoff series with the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday night.
Video projectors cast rink-sized images of Montreal’s hockey legends onto the canvas of ice below. The Rocket. Lafleur. Beliveau.
And there — on the ice — is Michael Ryder, a hero to many hockey fans in Newfoundland. Ryder is dressed in the famous red, white and blue and is carving the ice and working his muscles during the team’s warm up. He fires pucks with the quick, powerful wrists that have made him a two-time 30-goal scorer with the Canadiens and the pride of his hometown, Bonavista.
But this is not a fairy tale time for Michael Ryder. The warmup is all the hockey action he will see this night. Ryder is scratched from the starting lineup. It’s the fourth playoff game in a row that Ryder is sitting out and it’s fueling speculation among some fans and hockey writers is that he may never play again for the Canadiens.
Mike Boone covers the team for the Montreal Gazette, blogging live at each Canadiens’ home game for habsinsideout.com. Boone says Ryder played his way out of the lineup this year by disappointing fans and Canadiens management during the regular season. Ryder had 14 goals and 31 points in 70 games. He was a healthy scratch 10 times in 82 games. His scoring numbers were down over last year, where Ryder led the Canadiens with 30 goals and finished third in team scoring.
One theory fans discuss to explain Ryder’s off year is the distraction stemming from a surprising decision of his younger brother, Daniel Ryder. Daniel risked his hockey career earlier this season when he left the Calgary Flames organization and stopped playing hockey. Michael Ryder has said he thinks his brother will return to hockey and said he’d like to play with his brother one day in the NHL.
Boone doesn’t think Daniel’s situation is the main reason for Michael’s off year. Boone thinks it has more to do with Ryder’s decision to focus on areas of his game other than offense.
“Ryder tried to work on his defense this year to become a more complete player, but then his offence fell apart,” said Boone. “He’s a scorer and he’s not scoring.”
Ryder will be an unrestricted free agent July 1 after signing a one-year $2,950,000 contract with the Canadiens last summer. Ryder has only ever been on one-year contracts during his four seasons with the Canadiens. Ryder has said previously he would like to sign a long term deal with the Canadiens. Boone now thinks Ryder’s time in Montreal will be over when the season ends.
“I think he’s out of here and I think he’s played himself out of millions of dollars. The contract for a 30-goal scorer is a hell of a lot better than the contract for a 14-goal scorer. Every year the team puts him through this contract bull and he needs a fresh start, probably on another team.”
Boone says Ryder will play for the Canadiens again in the playoffs only if there is an injury to another player or the team goes on a losing streak during which they are having trouble scoring goals.
The Canadiens lost 4-2 Saturday night. After the game, The Telegram asked Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau if Ryder will see action again in the playoffs.
“We just lost a game, OK? I have a few days before our next game to think about the lineup. I don’t know who’ll be in the lineup,” was all Carbonneau said before switching subjects.
Team media officials did not make Ryder available for an interview, but said The Telegram could interview Ryder if it spotted him. Ryder could not be found in the press box with other scratched Canadiens players during the game, or afterward in the dressing room. The game night fan program, however, did carry a story about Ryder’s recent playing troubles.
“I think I’ve handled things pretty well, but it wasn’t much of an effort for me, it’s just the way I am,” Ryder told the Canadiens official team magazine.
“Growing up, we didn’t leave Newfoundland all that much and we had a simple life. My parents raised me to be respectful of others and not to say things that would be inappropriate or hurtful in the heat of the moment. (But) don’t get me wrong, this year has been tough for me.”
The article did not discuss whether Ryder will play again in the playoffs or where he will end up next season. The article ends with in Internet poll question asking fans if they expect Ryder to re-sign with the Canadiens over the summer.
When the Canadiens starting lineup hits the ice, the sold-out crowd revs into a frenzy. The noise can be painful to hear. Most fans wear red T-shirts or Canadiens replica jerseys. Judging by the names on the back, flashy Russian forward Alexi Kovalev and team captain Saku Koivu are clearly the fan favourites. The Telegram found only one Ryder replica jersey among the fans.
“It was a mistake, what can I say?” said the fan when asked about his choice of Ryder’s name on the back. The fan did say that he felt Ryder was still a good player and he would like to see him play.
Most Montreal-based fans interviewed by The Telegram were not upset about Ryder’s benching.
“He can’t score. He doesn’t have heart and he lost his confidence,” said Yannick Bouchard, who had a mini Stanley Cup taped to his head.
“I’m not angry about Ryder not playing. The team is winning, so what’s the point of playing him? It’s just too bad for him,” said Felix Tremblay, his face painted in red, white and blue.
“I’m actually a little bit disappointed he’s not playing and so are some of my friends,” said Jason Polson of Montreal. “Will we see him again? You never know. Maybe because of injuries.”
Gazette writer Boone said those are typical fan comments about Ryder.
“He’s never made a big mark here, which is unusual for a 30-goal scorer. He’s not flamboyant, but neither is he boring. I think people are indifferent,” Boone said.
In January, Canadiens general manager, Bob Gainey told the Montreal Gazette about a conversation he had with Ryder in which he told the right wing, “You need to invest more. Whatever you’re doing, up the ante, because it’s not enough.”
Throughout the regular season, Ryder was rumoured to be part of many trade talks. Ryder — to his admitted surprise — survived the NHL’s trade deadline.
“I was nervous at times, but I’m still part of the team,’ Ryder said in February.
“This hasn’t been an easy year for him, but he’s a good player,” Gainey said after the trade deadline. “He’s an excellent offensive player with skills that aren’t easy to find.”
Ironically, Gainey said he held on to the winger because of Ryder’s special offensive skills that could prove valuable in the playoffs.
Ryder’s playoff history isn’t impressive. In 21 career playoff games, he has only three goals and five assists.
Ryder had no points in four playoff games this year before becoming a healthy scratch.
“To his credit he never bitches and whines. He’s really popular with the media. He’s always available, win or lose. He’s just snake bit. He’s scored 30 goals in this league before. I’d love to see him do it again,” said Boone, who thinks Ryder will be in the NHL next season.
The question now is whether it will be with the storied Montreal Canadiens.
pwalsh@thetelegram.com
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