The Ottawa Senators want to lock up star forward Bobby Ryan long term and the organization has made him an offer.
According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the team tendered a seven-year deal to the 27-year-old winger.
This comes two days after general manager Bryan Murray said there wouldn’t be any contract talks with Ryan until October or November.
“We’re not talking dollars or anything at this point,” Murray told Garrioch. “It’s just a matter of let’s see what happens [during the season] from Bobby’s point of view. We’ll make the effort sometime in October or November to get something done.
“Bobby wants to wait to see the role and the importance he has. Is he going to be one of the top core guys? There were games last year he felt he didn’t play very much or play a very important role. He’s the kind of guy, he’s got a big upside for us, but he wants to be one of those guys you count on. I totally understand that.”
Ryan is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2014-15 season. His current cap hit is $5.1 million, but but he’s expected to get a raise. Rumours recently surfaced that Ryan turned down a seven-year, $49-million offer though nothing has been confirmed.
The Cherry Hill, N.J., native was acquired by the Senators last summer in a trade that sent for Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen and a first-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks. In his first season with the Senators, Ryan registered 23 goals, 25 assists, 45 penalty minutes and a plus-7 rating in 70 games.
