Oilers veteran leaving the team on waivers could return on coaching staff
The Edmonton Oilers placed veteran forward Derek Ryan on waivers yesterday, and one Oilers analyst believes he could make his return to the team on the coaching staff.
Derek Ryan cleared waivers yesterday, and will join the Bakersfield Condors likely for the remainder of the season.
Oilers' Derek Ryan could be coaching staff candidate
According to Oilers analyst Alan Mitchell, the next time Derek Ryan returns to the team, it could be as part of the coaching staff.
- Alan Mitchell
Derek Ryan is an exceptional person with an incredible sense for the game that allowed him a successful NHL career despite some tough circumstances.
It's incredible that Ryan made a 600+ game career out of being a 5'10 defensive fourth liner, while entering the NHL at 30 years old.
The Oilers coaching staff is obviously humming along and it's hard to imagine a change to the current configuration is needed.
Out of all assistant coaches, Mark Stuart was the last one hired, and was not a direct choice of Knoblauch's. If Stuart finds an opportunity elsewhere, perhaps that's where Ryan can slide in.
Derek Ryan will report to Bakersfield under relaxed conditions, still not retiring
There was some speculation that Ryan would instead retire when clearing waivers, since the likelihood of him returning to the lineup is very low, only including major injury trouble.
According to Jim Matheson, Ryan may take his time reporting to Bakersfield. It's a tough personal situation for the veteran, who obviously doesn't want to move his family to California while their lives are in Edmonton.
It would be fantastic to see the Oilers bring back Ryan next year in any off-ice role, be it using his elite hockey sense as a coach or even a scout.
Oilers fans will wish all the best to Derek Ryan, a vet who gave every last ounce of effort to Edmonton the last few years.
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