Ducks hoping Bobby Ryan can take the next step

From Mark Whicker of the Orange County Register:

There were none of the usual qualifications about Ryan. The No. 2 pick in the 2005 draft (behind you-know-who) has gone through his initiation process and will be one of Anaheim’s top six forwards, although he still hasn’t shown he can handle it on the NHL level. He clearly will get that chance now and presumably will be allowed to play through a few mistakes.

“Portland played three rounds of playoffs and Bobby dominated,” Burke said. “There are a few NHL general managers and coaches looking at those guys, and they were running after me telling me how well he was playing.”

Ryan had eight goals and 20 points in 16 postseason games and was a club-high plus-seven.

Read the entire article here.

The Ducks will need Ryan to step up, especially if Teemu Selanne doesn’t return to the squad. The youngster has taken a while to develop, but will be given every opportunity to strut his stuff come September.