After two years of trade rumors surrounding Bobby Ryan, the Anaheim Ducks finally pulled the trigger on Friday, sending Ryan to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen and a first-round draft pick.
"Relieved is the best way to describe my feelings," Ryan via phone just hours after the trade. "I'm looking forward to a fresh start and embracing my new teammates. I am excited to be joining a team with such a good young core.
"Ironically, the Senators were a team that I watched throughout the playoffs this past year. I love the way they play."
Silfverberg has been described as a younger and less-accomplished Bobby Ryan who may score 20-25 goals, while Noessen, a former first-round draft pick of the Senators in 2011, has twice cracked the 30-goal plateau in the Ontario Hockey League.
Despite some ups and downs with Ducks GM Bob Murray, Ryan and Murray had a good final conversation when he was informed of the trade.
"I told him thanks for giving me an opportunity and I wished him well," added Ryan.
The departure to Ottawa also means saying goodbye to some good friends in Anaheim.
"I am going to miss that group," Ryan said. "I sent text messages to both (Ryan) Getzlaf and (Corey) Perry thanking them for everything they did for me and my career. Those guys really helped me and I told them, 'Sorry we didn't get a chance to do what we set out to accomplish (another Stanley Cup).'"
"I think we got a star in Bobby Ryan," Ottawa GM Brian Murray told the media following the trade. "He's a guy that scores goals and plays big minutes."
Ryan can play in all situations. Despite being relegated primarily to the Ducks' second power-play unit, in his previous two full seasons Ryan scored 31 and 34 goals. Of those goals, 54 came at even strength. He added three more goals with the Ducks shorthanded and scored seven on the power play.
