NHL rumors: Canadiens to part ways with Michael Ryder
After acquiring Michael Ryder midseason, the Montreal Canadiens are apparently going to part ways with the veteran wing. Thanks, salary cap.
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One of Marc Bergevin's shrewdest moves as the first-year general manager of the Montreal Canadiens was trading Erik Cole to Dallas for Michael Ryder. Not only did Bergevin get arguably a more productive player but one who was signed to a cheaper deal that expires this offseason.
But from the sounds of it, Ryder's second stint with the Habs is going to be a short stay. With his potential free agency looming, his agent told the Journal de Montreal that Ryder will be left to walk because he's not in the Canadiens' plans.
You figure this is a decision that has little to do with Ryder's ability on the ice and almost everything to do with Montreal's situation off the ice.
Bergevin is still trying to clear the way for the Habs to meet the diminished salary cap next season. There isn't much room for Ryder, even if he isn't a terribly costly player. His expiring contract carried a $3.5 million salary cap hit, not bad for a player who had 10 goals and 11 assists in 27 games with Montreal this season.
It means Ryder will hit the market and will surely get a little raise on that salary. After all, during the 2011-12 season in Dallas, he had 35 goals in a full 82-game schedule. Given the prices that guys who can score always command on the market, he'll be one of the more prized players you have to figure, even if he is 33 years old.
Even after doing this and buying out Scott Gomez, the Canadiens still aren't quite comfortable with the cap next season (via Cap Geek). They will be under it but have a few other players to make decisions on as well.
