Oilers veteran Derek Ryan admits salary-cap issue motivated roster move

It's incredible to hear the veteran accept a tough move to the minors this late in his career, and accepting the decision as a reality of the salary cap.

Ryan battled through a tough situation to help the Oilers with their books, and it helped the team bring in new additions like John Klingberg and Kasperi Kapanen.

The veteran center also was able to teach the youngsters in the AHL some valuable lessons from his journeyman career, but the entire experience living away from his family took a major mental toll on him.

"I don't wanna brag but, I have some detail in my game, some aspects of my game that some guys can try to emulate and learn from.

"Obviously it was hard being away from the family, living in a hotel for three weeks. Being on the road, kind of grinding it was a struggle mentally. But the hockey was good."

Derek Ryan having impact on Oilers and Condors locker rooms

Ryan noted that while he didn't want to be in the AHL, he was still trying to set a good example of professional conduct on the Condors. However, some players down there aren't doing the same.

"I knew I'd be back here eventually, and what can I do to be an impact player when I come back here, in the locker room as well.

"Obviously I didn't want to be there, but you can't have that attitude. I've seen a lot of guys from my time in Charlotte and now in Bakersfield, you see guys that are just sour to be there. You can't be like that. It's a cancer. Nobody wants to be around you."

Ryan may have just been comparing Bakersfield to his previous AHL experiences, but it's interesting to hear him say some players aren't happy to be stuck down there. Perhaps the only player who expected to be an NHLer was Josh Brown.

For now, it's great to see the vet DR back with the Edmonton Oilers. If they go on another long playoff run and hoist the Stanley Cup, his work over the last four seasons deserves appreciation and a roster spot.