Bobby Ryan #9 of the Ottawa Senators prepares for a face off during an NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 2, 2019 in Toronto.Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
The Ottawa Senators placed veteran forward Bobby Ryan on waivers and plan to buy out the remainder of his contract.
The 33-year-old Ryan has two seasons remaining on a seven-year, $50.75 million deal. Friday is the first day of the NHL’s buyout window that runs through Oct. 8.
Ryan acknowledged that he was informed of his departure by releasing a statement.
“To my teammates past and present to wear the jersey it was a pleasure to skate with you guys,” Ryan said. "Countless memories of good and bad I’ll never forget.
“... Ottawa will have a special place in our families heart forever. See you around the ice.”
Ryan spent his first six seasons with the Anaheim Ducks before he was traded to the Senators prior to the 2013-14 season.
He scored more than 30 goals in four straight seasons for the Ducks but didn’t have the same success in Ottawa. He topped 20 just twice in seven seasons with the Senators, with a high of 23 in his first campaign.
Ryan had just five goals and three assists in 24 games this past season as he took a leave of absence to deal with an alcohol problem. He scored the hat trick in his first game back, a 5-2 home victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 27.
The openness about the issue led to Ryan winning the Bill Masterton Trophy, presented annually to a player who exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Overall, Ryan has 555 career points (254 goals, 301 assists) in 833 NHL games.
Ryan told the Ottawa Sun that he plans to continue playing his career.
“I have good hockey left in me and I got away from that for about 18 months and that hurt me,” Ryan said. "The way I’ve been table to train myself this summer and the way I’ve been able to treat my body it’s just keep getting better.
“... This is just a small setback. Everything has been a benefit to me and a new start could be the same. I’m still hungry, I want to play and I want to finish correctly and do it on the right terms and do it professional.”