UPDATE: The Bobby Ryan To Buffalo Rumors: What I’ve Been Told And What I Think

UPDATE: First off, yes Ducks GM Bob Murray was in attendance last night at the First Niagara Center.  Secondly, to update everyone on the Ryan to Buffalo rumor, much is still the same. Buffalo and Anaheim are indeed talking like we reported yesterday, and Ryan’s name is one of the names being discussed.

I’m still told that Toronto is the front runner, and if Ryan were to get traded to Toronto, that doesn’t rule out a Sabres/Ducks deal. Anaheim likes, and wants Drew Stafford, and with the depth of Buffalo’s prospect pool, they wouldn’t mind dipping into that either.

So right now, although nothing big has changed on the Bobby Ryan front, a Buffalo/Anaheim deal could go down within the next two weeks.

Over the past day or so rumors have been circling about the possibility of the Buffalo Sabres acquiring former 30-goal scorer Bobby Ryan from the Anaheim Ducks.  Now I’m not one that usually posts on rumors, especially after allowing THIS to go up, but I’ve made a few calls and did research, and have found that there is indeed some truth to these rumors floating about.

WHAT I KNOW: Information is coming from the same man who told me of the Boyes and Regehr deals days in advance, that’s the only reason why I’m even entertaining this idea…

Buffalo, CBJ, and Toronto are the top three teams INTERESTED in Ryan. Right now Leafs have best offer of a combination of Schenn, Grabovski,Bozak, and/or Kadri. It’s a very real possibility that Anaheim is using Buffalo to up the deal from Toronto. Also remember the Burke/Anaheim connection; Burke wants the player he drafted. Right now I’d view Toronto as the front runner.

Sabres have an offer of Stafford, A young NHL ready player (my guess is Ennis), and a D prospect on the table.

Also, keep an eye out for the Rangers who could be looking into the idea of acquiring him. But they don’t want to give up Stepan, and I was told the Ducks want him.

But the only way Ryan get’s traded is if the Ducks dont turn things around over the next couple of weeks to a month.  Of course they could get blown away and pull a trigger sooner, but im told thats HIGHLY UNLIKELY

WHAT I THINK:

I personally feel that Ryan will be dealt by no later than the end of December. If I had to pick a team, my first choice would be Toronto for the reasons stated above.  I agree with what I was told that Buffalo may very well be being used in order to drive offers up from other teams. However, Buffalo may also be using this as a fuse to let other teams of the league know that they are serious about winning now.  With that being said, I don’t see Buffalo being the team that will land Ryan if/when he is dealt