I wish I had seen checked in on this earlier in the week, but WEEI's DJ Bean and the Big Bad Blog have been featuring the Bruins "X Factors" for the upcoming season.
Click Here to go directly to the Blog.
I agree with the players they have labeled so far, and DJ brings up some good points about Ryder in particular. Clearly, most fans, followers, analysts and media outlets have tabbed Ryder as the player most likely to be traded or moved in order to solve the Bruins cap situation. While I agree that is the most likely move, Bean brings up the point that perhaps Ryder has a solid season this year. Clearly not only would the help bolster the B's offense, but it would make PC's decision around Sturm's return all the more complex. Ryder can be a potentially deadly sniper and scorer if he is on his game, which was a BIG IF last season. Often times last year he just looked void of any emotion or passion, and clearly he might have been distracted by what was occuring in his family life. I can't even begin to recall how many times Ryder received a perfect setup pass or got a rebound out in front only to bury the puck into the opposing goaltender's midsection. For most of the season, he looked as if he just didn't care with the hit on Savard being the season's low point with Ryder simply skating by the motionless center. However, something happened after that. Ryder started to play more physical (remember the hit in the Islanders game that got him the game misconduct), and in the playoffs, he had registered 4 goals, 2 in one game in the Buffalo series. Just imagine if Ryder reverts to his 2008-2009 season. Can you then imagine how potent the Bruins offense could be? Look, the hockey and Bruins fan in me tells me that Ryder is the guy to go, but it is hard to look past the personal issues he was encountering last year and not hope that he has overcome those. I think if that is all put behind him and he comes to camp looking to work hard and focus in on hockey, the Bruins faithful could be in for a big suprise.
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