NHL Notebook: Derek Ryan retires, Flames sign Connor Zary, and more

Ryan first joined the Oilers as a free agent in July 2021, after three seasons spent with their Alberta rivals, the Calgary Flames. He originally signed on a two-year, $2.5 million deal and extended for an additional two seasons in July 2023. In four seasons in Edmonton, the veteran skater had 29 goals and 60 points in 261 appearances, adding two goals and seven points in 45 playoff games. Earlier this year, he was sent down to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors after clearing waivers, where he spent the remainder of the season.

Owing to his short stature of 5’8″, Ryan’s path to the NHL was unconventional, to say the least. After four years of junior hockey with his hometown Spokane Chiefs of the WHL, he remained undrafted into the NHL and began playing at the University of Alberta. After four years of USports, he went overseas to play in Europe. In 2015, he was finally given a shot in the North American pros when the Carolina Hurricanes signed him to a one-year, two-way contract. He made his debut NHL appearance in February 2016 at the age of 29.

Now 38 years old, his NHL career spanned nearly a decade, though it’s just one piece of his storied playing career. Across three teams, Ryan played 606 career games with 82 goals and 127 assists for a total of 209 points. Through 60 playoff appearances, he added three goals and seven assists. He also played with Team USA twice at the World Championships in 2018 and 2019. At the 2018 edition, he had four goals and three assists in nine games, as the United States defeated Canada in the bronze-medal match.

Earlier this week, Ryan spoke to Bob Stauffer on 880 CHED and touched on his decision to end his playing career:

“I’m retiring. We, my family, are back home in Spokane. The kids started at their new school here today. I didn’t actively look for a job this off-season. Europe could’ve been an option, maybe other NHL teams, but if it wasn’t going to be Edmonton, I didn’t want to move the family again. As the kids get older that gets harder. We had good roots in Edmonton, and, shoot, I’m almost 40. It’s nice to settle in here in Spokane. We have our house, friends, and family. It’s nice to be home.”

More News From Around The NHL…

• The Calgary Flames have re-signed RFA Connor Zary to a three-year agreement, with an annual average value of $3.775 million. The 23-year-old had 13 goals and 27 points in 54 appearances last season, missing time due to injury.
• Daily Faceoff Fantasy’s Brock Seguin has released his Fantasy Hockey Top 300 Rankings ahead of the upcoming season. Unsurprisingly, Connor McDavid leads the way, with Leon Draisaitl coming in at number four.
• After Lane Hutson’s snub from Team USA’s Olympic camp, his dad, Manitoba native Rob Hutson, floated the idea of Lane playing for Canada instead going forward. Logistically, it would take four years to switch national allegiances under IIHF rules, but I’m sure Canadians wouldn’t be too upset to wait that long, eh?