Anaheim Ducks vs. Ottawa Senators: Opponent Preview
By Jason Byun
October 13, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Bobby Ryan (6) plays for the puck against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47) during the first period at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
1. One of the first things that comes to mind with the Senators and the Ducks is the trade last offseason which sent winger Bobby Ryan to Ottawa for Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen, and a 2014 1st round pick (which was used to select Nick Ritchie). For the Ducks, it was mostly a move to save money, but for the Senators, it allowed the team to add a bona-fide top-six forward after the departure of Daniel Alfredsson to the Detroit Red Wings. How effectively has Ryan fit onto the Senators since the trade, and how much of an impact has he had for the club? Also, what were your thoughts on Silfverberg and Noesen when they were traded?
Jack: Bobby Ryan has been good. I won’t say great, but good. He had an incredible start to the 2013-2014 season: he was at 18 goals before the New Year, but he only scored five in the second half. You know the story about the “Olympic snub” and the injuries he played through. His first year, he had a great first half, but let’s be honest: he’s been playing on a terrible Ottawa team. This season, we’ve seen flashes of great play. He’s had nights where he looks like a Selke candidate and saves our team goals, and others where he’s just flying around and making things happen.
Jakob Silfverberg was pretty beloved in Ottawa. He was arguably our most hyped prospect after his performance in Sweden and the elite league at a young age. He was supposed to be a good player and part of the Senators for a long time. It simply came down to the fact that you have to give up something to get something, and that something the Senators got was Bobby Ryan.
As for Stefan Noesen, I remember he was drafted 21st overall in 2011, and some fans were scratching their head at that pick. Noesen is a big kid and might see the NHL at some point in the future, but with injuries over the last two seasons, it may be getting more and more unlikely. That said, I know he had a great pre-season before this latest injury, and I hope he gets back to the AHL soon.