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Bobby Ryan on possibly being traded: “I wouldn’t be surprised”

Bobby Ryan

Anaheim Ducks left wing Bobby Ryan celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

AP

There have been plenty of rumors flying around this week about Bobby Ryan, the Anaheim Ducks, and a possible trade to help shake things up for the freefalling team. Bobby Ryan responded to the rumors this evening with Ducks beat writer Eric Stephens. Let’s just put it this way—it sounds like he’s heard the rumors too.

Stephens asked him directly if he’d be shocked if the Ducks were to trade him in the near future. “I wouldn’t be surprised,” Bobby Ryan told the Orange County Register. “That’s all I’ll say about that.”

It sounds like Ryan has something in common with most hockey fans in North America these days. No one would be surprised if the struggling Ducks moved the 2005 second overall pick. The Ducks have only won twice in the last 18 games and desperately need something to shake up the team that started the season with promise. People forget that this team finished the season as the Western Conference’s fourth seed last season and started this season with a strong 4-1-0 record.

Then the bottom fell out of the season.

General Manager Bob Murray was given the vote of confidence by Ducks CEO Michael Schulman on Monday. There are reports that ownership would rather not replace Randy Carlyle because he’s under contract until 2014 (and they’d rather not pay two salaries). Ryan Getzlaf will keep the captaincy. What’s left to help change things up with the struggling team?

The easy answer is a trade.

Stephens also talked to GM Bob Murray about the trade rumors regarding Ryan. Murray was predictably non-committal in his response: "… at any time if we get offered a deal on any player that makes this team better, we would have to take a long, hard look at that.”

Like they said in Dumb and Dumber: So you’re saying there’s a chance…

Ryan goes on to say that he’s not looking to be traded and would rather stay with the Ducks. Anaheim would be wise to listen to Ryan in this case. The winger only has 11 points this season and has been slumping like the rest of the team. But even with the struggles this season, the guy is a walking, talking 30-goal season just waiting to happen. If they were to move Ryan at this point, it would be a perfect example of selling a player at the lowest possible point.

If the Ducks were to make a trade, what potential trade target around the league would make the trade worth while? Unless they can find someone just as good as Ryan, then they’ll lose just about any possible trade. He’s locked up at a reasonable price for four seasons so trading for a potential free agent doesn’t make sense.

The Ducks would be wise to remember the old adage: whoever gets the best player in a trade, wins. If the Ducks trade Bobby Ryan, they will not be getting the best player in the deal. Period.