The NHL offseason is often filled with projections, fuelled by the science and the art of interpretation and probability. The star players and new locales take centre stage as fans marinate on the ever changing topography of the league. Rightly so, as some players will make a much bigger impact on their teams and the league as a whole than others will. This, however, does not mean that we cannot take time to appreciate the players that fall outside of those parameters.
There might be no clearer example of this than Derek Ryan, who will turn 38 this December. Ryan was anything but a top prospect, as his production and size left him an afterthought early on in his career. Even since joining the Edmonton Oilers in the 2021–22 season, many questioned if the 5’10” Ryan had anything left to give an NHL team, let alone an aspiring Stanley Cup contender. Through 225 regular season games as an Oilers, and 45 playoffs games on top of that, Ryan has continued to prove the doubters wrong. Coming into the last year of his deal, let’s take a look at what Ryan brings to the ice to see if he can beat the odds once again.
Career stats
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts |
| 2003-04 | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2004-05 | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | 71 | 14 | 32 | 46 |
| 2005-06 | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | 72 | 24 | 37 | 61 |
| 2006-07 | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | 72 | 28 | 31 | 59 |
| 2006-07 | Kalamazoo Wings | UHL | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2007-08 | U. of Alberta | CWUAA | 28 | 11 | 14 | 25 |
| 2008-09 | U. of Alberta | CWUAA | 25 | 16 | 19 | 35 |
| 2009-10 | U. of Alberta | CWUAA | 28 | 14 | 25 | 39 |
| 2010-11 | U. of Alberta | CWUAA | 28 | 17 | 30 | 47 |
| 2011-12 | Szekeshfehervar Alba Volan HC | Austria | 50 | 25 | 24 | 49 |
| 2012-13 | VSV EC | Austria | 54 | 27 | 39 | 66 |
| 2013-14 | VSV EC | Austria | 54 | 38 | 46 | 84 |
| 2014-15 | Orebro HK | SweHL | 55 | 15 | 45 | 60 |
| 2015-16 | Charlotte Checkers | AHL | 70 | 23 | 32 | 55 |
| 2015-16 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2016-17 | Charlotte Checkers | AHL | 9 | 5 | 8 | 13 |
| 2016-17 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 67 | 11 | 18 | 29 |
| 2017-18 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 80 | 15 | 23 | 38 |
| 2018-19 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 81 | 13 | 25 | 38 |
| 2019-20 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 68 | 10 | 19 | 29 |
| 2020-21 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 43 | 2 | 11 | 13 |
| 2021-22 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 75 | 10 | 12 | 22 |
| 2022-23 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 80 | 13 | 7 | 20 |
| 2023-24 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 70 | 5 | 7 | 12 |
Playing history
As mentioned, Ryan was not a highly regarded prospect during his draft years. He was able to put up respectable numbers in the WHL, but it was not enough to earn any NHL consideration. As evidenced by his brief post-WHL stop in the UHL, a low level pro league that saw several of its remaining teams join the ECHL when the league eventually folded.
The decision to go to the University of Alberta shows that Ryan was keeping his life options open as well. While unconventional for future NHLers, spending four years at the university saw Ryan rack up some accolades, being named MVP of the 2010–11 season. Then in his mid-20s, a time when many forward prospects are thought to have peaked, Ryan was just getting started.
Ryan would then take his talents to Austria for three seasons, rejoining the professional ranks with great success. Improving his offensive production in each season, Ryan would be named league MVP in his final year in Austria, 2013–14. By now Ryan had at least started to make a name for himself, but already in his late 20s the NHL was still not necessarily a consideration. Ryan would then go on to play one season in the SHL, scoring at over a point per game in one of the better leagues in the world. Not only was this enough to lead his team in points, but he was also named MVP.
Finally, Ryan was in range of an NHL opportunity, earning a contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. Still, Ryan would have more to prove, playing parts of two seasons in the AHL before earning a full time role in the NHL. Though these were his age 29 and 30 seasons, Ryan showed offensive growth at the AHL level, a sign that he was still adding to his game.
From then on Ryan would prove to be a reliable bottom-six NHL forward. Ryan would post fairly modest point totals, though his place deeper in the lineup and without power play time should be noted. Instead, Ryan has been a strong possession player, and often great in The faceoff dot as well.
Player profile
As mentioned, despite his offensive prowess in other leagues, Ryan is not an offensive dynamo in the NHL. In fact, Ryan saw a significant downturn in production last season. Clearly there is some skill to his game, but at the NHL level this presents more as functional and tactful effectiveness than it does with tantalising highlights.
Ryan is a smart positional player and is able to win more puck battles than his size would suggest. Ryan is able to make quick passes that support his team’s attacking efforts. Unfortunately, his assist numbers have taken a hit during his time in Edmonton. While his days as an effective playmaker might be behind him, he still has the quality to help his teammates control play.
His smarts are highlighted by the fact that Ryan is not a particularly fast or agile player. Perhaps for this reason Ryan has been able to maintain his effectiveness to this point, as his athleticism was never his foremost strength.
Fit with the Oilers
In one sense it might be foolish to expect Ryan to fall short of expectations, as he has only ever done the opposite. There are few players that are legitimate NHL contributors in their late 30s, even rarer among career role players. On the other hand all good things come to an end, especially in the world of athletics. Last season was a drop off in offensive production, which might be a sign that his unlikely ride is coming to an end. Still, given his skill set and his role on the team, offence is not necessarily a meaningful way to evaluate Ryan.
Ryan will not be considered for a larger role on the power play or at even strength, and will most likely be fighting to stay in the lineup. He will have an inside track for a fourth line role, where his dependability will be an asset over younger players with more upside. So long as his body is still in playing shape, it will be difficult for Ryan to be left off the roster on merit.
However, his spot in the lineup will be under fire. Even with Dylan Holloway gone the Oilers will have a crowded forward group, as well as a few players looking to make their way to the NHL. Talented scorers such as Raphael Lavoie, Roby Jarventie, and Matthew Savoie are not natural fits on the fourth line, but a big centreman like Noah Philp might give the Oilers something to think about. With a $1.25M cap hit, the Oilers might be tempted or forced to go with a cheaper option than Ryan if they need to save a few hundred thousand dollars against the cap.
On the last year of his deal there is no guarantee that Ryan will be back in the NHL next season, much less as a member of the Oilers. Ryan has defied the odds before, so another surprisingly strong season is not out of the question. Whatever the future holds, Oiler fans should take the time to appreciate the charming and unlikely underdog.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
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