"While I did still have some other meetings and calls back and forth with my agents, my heart just wasn't in it, because I had spoken to (Red Wings general manager) Steve Yzerman] first," the 33-year-old forward said. "It was a 45-minute call that just left me with the impression that it was the right fit without knowing what else is out there. It didn't feel like it was going to matter. I knew where I wanted to be based on my conversation, and the passion that kind of just comes through for the Red Wings through him is contagious. I left and walked out of the room and told my wife, 'I think we're signing in Detroit.' … After that phone call, I didn't feel like I needed to hear anything else from anybody."
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Ryan had the final two seasons of his seven-year contract bought out by the Ottawa Senators on Sept. 26. He scored eight points (five goals, three assists) in 24 games last season, taking an extended leave of absence in November to enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, citing issues with alcohol abuse. He won the Masterton Trophy, which is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Following his leave of absence, Ryan scored four goals in eight games, including a hat trick against the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 27, before the NHL season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
"No. 1, ultimately, I'd like to prove to myself that I have more in me and then, No. 2, I guess everybody else behind that," Ryan said. "There's going to be naysayers for me because of my age and my speed and things like that. I can't address age, but I'm trying to address speed and go from there and show the world, and show the hockey world, I guess, that I have some hockey left in me."
Selected by the Anaheim Ducks with the No. 2 pick in the 2005 NHL Draft, Ryan has scored 555 points (254 goals, 301 assists) in 833 regular-season games and 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists) in 51 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"We're really excited and we're really happy," Yzerman said. "He had options, and he thought this was a good spot for him to come and play. So, we just think it's a good fit for a lot of reasons.
"I think Bobby's going to be a good fit. He's got a lot of wisdom to share with our guys, and at the same time, he wants to get his career going again and play a lot more hockey."
NHL.com columnist Nicholas J. Cotsonika contributed to this report
