{allcanada} Senators could be in hunt for Ducks' Ryan

 

The Senators may not be done big-game hunting, according to The Ottawa Sun.

Though any chance of landing Columbus Blue Jackets winger Rick Nash has been scratched off the list, don't rule out the possibility of the Senators making a pitch for unhappy Anaheim Ducks winger Bobby Ryan.

While the Senators believe top prospects Jacob Silfverberg and Mark Stone and newly-signed winger Guillaume Latendresse are going to battle for spots, don't be surprised if Ottawa is in the Ryan sweepstakes.

Even if captain Daniel Alfredsson does decide against retirement and signs an extension, the Senators could still add depth up front. With its pursuit of Nash, the club proved owner Eugene Melnyk is willing to spend.

Though business was on hold while six teams with a serious chance of signing winger Zach Parise waited for him to agree to terms with the Minnesota Wild Wednesday, trade talk heated up again Thursday.

So desperate is Nash to get out of Columbus he might be willing to expand his potential trade list from four teams, but even if he is to put Ottawa on his new list, Melnyk told the Sun Tuesday the club doesn't want Nash.

That means the Senators could focus on Ryan.

Sources say Ducks GM Bob Murray isn't sure what he's going to do with Ryan. The organization wasn't pleased with public comments he made last month, indicating the best move for both sides is a trade.

Sources also say the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning and Senators are amongst a group of teams that will make a pitch for Ryan. The Ducks may also have to clear salary off the deck to sign Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.

The Senators can get in talks like this — and be competitive — because Bryan Murray, assistant Tim Murray and director of player personnel Pierre Dorion have done a good job re-stocking the shelves with prospects.

Depending what route the Ducks take, the Senators could have the pieces Anaheim would want in return. Young forward Mika Zibanejad and goalie Robin Lehner were both made available to the Jackets for Nash.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99

Babe Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html