Canes Country Exit Analysis: Ryan Bayda
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 2, 2009 10:43 PM EDT
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PrintThe 2008-09 season will go down as an important one in Ryan Bayda's career. For the first time, the 28-year-old forward established himself as an everyday NHLer, playing 70 games and averaging more than 10 minutes of ice time.
But despite finally "making it," Bayda's status an an unrestricted free agent puts him — and his career — in a state of limbo. Bayda once left the organization, spending the season with Vancouver's affiliate in Manitoba, only to come back. If Carolina — which will have plenty of forwards for next season if they can re-sign their other free agents — passes on Bayda, is there a place for him elsewhere in the NHL?
The Good: As mentioned above, this was Bayda's first time as a full-time NHLer. Unlike his other seasons in the league, he was never assigned to the AHL and made himself into an everyday fourth-liner with two different head coaches. Bayda was a reliable penalty killer, averaging 1:48 of shorthanded ice time per game, tops among players who spent the entire season with the club (only Patrick Dwyer, Brandon Sutter and Jussi Jokinen averaged more. Rod Brind'Amour averaged eight seconds per game less penalty kill time than Bayda).
On top of that, Bayda upped his game in the postseason, scoring four points (two goals and two assists) and wasn't afraid to get his nose dirty.
The Bad: Bayda didn't really do anything bad, so to speak. But his failure to make himself irreplaceable has his future with the Hurricanes — and in the NHL — at risk. With an expiring contract, Bayda really needed to take the next step, be it as a more reliable scorer (Chad LaRose), more physical checker (Craig Adams) or pesky agitator (Tim Conboy). His growth as a penalty killer is a plus, but might not be enough to keep in the NHL. His best chance might be the fact that he's a home-grown product, and GM Jim Rutherford is one of the more loyal front office guys out there.
The Stats: The most important statistic for Bayda: 70. That's the number of games he played in the NHL this season, 26 more than he played in any previous year.
- 5 goals — his career high, though he scored four in 2002-03 in just 25 games.
- 7 assists — in his previous three seasons, he had seven assists in 84 NHL games.
- Plus-2 — he was one of just seven Canes on the right side of the plus/minus ledger.
- 26 PIMs — two fewer than last year, in 39 more games.
- 62 shots — his 0.9 shots per game was a full shot less than he averaged in 2007-08.
- 46 blocked shots — led all Hurricanes forwards.
The Money: Bayda earned the NHL minimum ($475,000) this season, the final year of his contract. If Bayda is to sign another one-way contract — from Carolina or another team — it will likely be for the same amount. He'd take it.
Want more? Check out Exit Analysis: Rod Brind'Amour.
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Home run hitter
When building a baseball team or a sales crew it has always been said that you not only need home run hitters but you need doubles guys and singles hitters. An NHL team needs players like Bayda. A guy who is not going to do much great and not going to do much bad. He basically forechecks well when given the opportunity and plays solid D. Basically holds serve. I like him and I think he is a steal at this price point. anything 800 K or lower and I say we keep him.
That is exactly what I was thinking- I gave him the “incomplete” grade because I was not sure how to judge his performance. I dont expect him to be great, nor do I expect him to stink- just kind of an in-between. Do I judge him as a role player, or based on expectations…sorry, I am reading MichaelProctons post as I write this and am finding the same problem.
by PittsburghCaniac on Jun 3, 2009 3:59 AM EDT up reply actions
An interesting question regarding the grading...
Rod Brind’Amour obvsiously had a superior season to Bayda in terms of overall production and contributions to the team’s success; however, I gave each a C. What do we grade these guys against? Their salaries? Their roles? Their expectations coming in? Their past performance? It’s an interesting question, and one I would imagine Jimmy wrestles with every offseason.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
For me, it definitely has to do with roles and expectations. Brind’Amour is supposed to be a 2nd-line or “1A” center, and should be netting 20G/50A per season. He’s also supposed to be the team’s best defensive forward, but he was a minus one billion and we saw him commit turnover after turnover throughout the season. Yes, he’s coming off one of the more devastating injuries for an athlete (ACL tear), but he was just horrendous at times. If Cullen and LaRose didn’t step up to fill those second line scoring roles that Brind’Amour and Samsonov were supposed to, this team would have had a much harder time making the playoffs. I didn’t expect another 82-point season from him, but I did expect 65-70, along with his usual defensive acumen. His play ultimately got him demoted to the fourth line. That’s not exactly the hallmark of a successful season. I gave him a C or D, I can’t remember which.
Bayda, on the other hand, was brought up to be a fourth liner. He did what a fourth liner is supposed to do, and he did it well. He’s got decent speed, he hits, and he’s good on the forecheck. When Bayda was called up in previous seasons, he was often put on the third line, and I always wondered why. He always looked a step behind the play and often had trouble handling the puck. This year, however, he skated well and made smart plays. He surprised me with his hitting; he was never really a hard hitter before. I think he found a nice role for himself on this team’s fourth line as a mobile energy guy, like Chad LaRose was in years past. I gave Bayda a B.
I may not be right in my assumptions and expectations, but that’s my rationale for voting the way I did.
What nomad said about Bayda
Ditto. Thanks for saving me the typing. That’s EXACTLY what I wanted to say about Bayda but you said it better than I ever could. :-)
by Jamie Kellner on Jun 3, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I would say his demotion had as much to do with Jokinen's play as his.
He was quite good over the home stretch.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 3, 2009 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I judge them
by how well I could do their jobs.
In my dreams…..
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
At one home game Ryan Baydas wife wore a t-shirt w/ a VHS tape on it…. below it read “VHS is out…. Bayda is in…” (as in a play on BETA)
Bayda played really well this season…. considering that he has (in the past) been an up-and-down from the AHL guy…. and he always did very well in that role also. I always admire the guys (like Bayda… walker… LaRose) who have to work hard and earn everything they get…. It takes more from a person to work hard to get to the next level and stay there than it does to just settle for one thing or another… or just to give up altogether… I think Bayda did very well this season.
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jun 3, 2009 9:38 AM EDT reply actions
I’m grading on a mix of expectations and what we’re getting for the money. That’s why I gave Bayda a C as well. He did do his job well (checking and blocking shots on PK) but failed to really impress me the way either of the Adams’ used to at times. He does throw EVERYTHING he has into his plays (playoffs or not), but I was fearful during the playoffs that his late hits would cause issues and I think the team lucked out a couple of times. I think for his role, unfortunately, he’s easily replacable.
I never liked Craig Adams. Can’t skate, no hands, got pummeled every time he dropped the gloves. I mean, if you’re going to give a roster spot to a guy who can’t skate and has no hands, at least let him be an enforcer. ;) But that’s probably my own irrational bias talking. We all have players we hate for no reason at all. It’s part of being a sports fan. He did play in all 82 games the year the Canes won the cup. And as a Penguin he scored against Carolina in the playoffs. :shrug:
Kevyn Adams, on the other hand…I was sad to see things go south with him to the point where he had to be traded. At least Carolina got Seidenberg out of the deal.
better place?
I think his future with the Canes is limited. However, there are surely other franchises who would like him and his experience and hustle on their roster, and likely he would have more opportunities to become a better paid player with more Icetime given a different surroundings. Change is often hard, but I think this might be an opportunity for him to explore and reach his potential elsewhere. if the JR doesn’t bring him back, I wish him and his family well and believe it will work out for the best.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Jun 3, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions
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