After scoring 27 goals with 53 points and then adding five more lamplighters and 13 points in 11 playoff games last season, the two-time 30-goal scorer has struggled to find the twine with only 12 goals in 54 games. This is the second season of a three-year, $12 million contract Ryder signed in the summer of 2008. The former Canadien has been getting more shots on net recently, but he still can't light the lamp on a consistent basis like he has done in the past. Most likely, that, coupled with another $4 million owed to him next season, is the reason for reported minimal interest from other teams.
Ryder was asked recently about his name surfacing in trade rumors and the distraction it could cause as he and his teammates struggle to win and score goals.
"It's part of the business," he told NESN.com. "I'm not scoring right now, the team is losing and naturally around this time of year, the rumors will start. There's nothing you can do except go out and play better. We know we're getting closer to where we need to be but we need to start scoring, obviously, and that's really frustrating."
If Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is unable to find a suitor for Ryder by way of a trade, he would have waiver options available.
