Blog - Internet Who will sign Ryan Parent?

[hf101]

Any team??? Probably no one. Parent becomes a FA this summer and he is likely to be playing in Europe next fall. So much promise.....so much fail. This is a great read.

Ryan Parent: Why Were the Warning Signs Ignored?

Ryan Parent, former Predator, Flyer, Predator (again), and current Canuck (although not for long), has been a flop at the NHL level. Google “Ryan Parent bust” and close to 200,000 results come up (although many of them link to Ryan Leaf and/or the other definition of the word bust…). Parent was once an important piece of the trade that sent Peter Forsberg from Philadelphia to Nashville. Why has he fallen so far in only a few years?

In December of 2011, the Chicago Wolves pawned Parent off on Canada’s Spengler Cup team. Parent was barely playing, and the Wolves wanted to give ice time to their better defensemen.

At his peak, Parent was a part of a dominant shutdown defensive pairing with Marc Staal for Canada, winning consecutive gold medals at the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships. The Predators liked what they saw out from him during the 2004-05 season, selecting him 18^th overall that summer (his Guelph Storm teammate, Dan Girardi, went undrafted and has since gone on to become one of the best defensive defensemen in the game).

Lack of Production – Warning Sign #1

Parent was an imposing presence in the OHL, but he didn’t play with a physical edge (although teams thought he would develop that part of his game as he matured). Scouts were intrigued by his combination of mobility and size/strength, and they chose to overlook his glaring lack of production. From The Hockey News:

“Parent’s overall game far outweighs his production at this stage of his development; plays a no-nonsense style with plenty of intangibles; captained the Canadian entry at the 2005 World under-18 tournament and led the club to a silver medal–despite not earning a point in six games; needs to add more aggression to his game in order to eventually keep NHL forwards honest.”

Key parts: lack of production, intangibles, needs to add more aggression. Hmmm…

Even though he focused on the defensive side of the game, Parent’s lack of production should have been an early warning sign. He scored only 10 goals in 227 OHL games, well below the production of a few draft peers and a former team mate:

• Marc Staal – 23 goals in 236 games (12^th overall in 2005)
  
• Jakub Kindl – 26 goals in 176 games (19^th overall in 2005)
  
• Dan Girardi – 21 goals in 230 games (undrafted)
  

Parent had the pedigree to succeed. He was a high draft pick (8^th overall) in the 2003 OHL Priority Selection. He had a solid OHL career, and he was a key piece for Canada against the best competition at his age level.

The lack of production was a warning sign that was overlooked.

Defensive Liability – Warning Sign #2

Parent turned pro after his 2006-07 OHL season concluded. He joined Philadelphia’s farm team (he had been traded from Nashville a few months previous), and he was a full-time member of the Phantoms in 2007-08. Parent’s tenure as a Flyer would have been completely forgettable had it not been for the 2009-10 postseason. Due to a number of injuries on the back end, Parent was forced in to duty, playing in 17 of the 23 postseason games. He suited up for a grand total of 41 seconds in the Cup Final against Chicago (one shift in game one, and I’m guessing it was sub par).

Philadelphia didn’t have any confidence in him. During that postseason run, he played over 12 minutes only twice. His ice time was sheltered, and he still struggled.

Since we love advanced stats at Canucks Army, let’s see how Parent stacked up in 2009-10 against his teammates. Parent’s Relative Corsi rating (the difference in Corsi rating when a player is on the ice compared to when he is on the bench) was a miserable -22 . When he was on the ice, the Flyers were giving up a ton of shots. It was even worse in the postseason (-24.9).<table border="0" cellspacing="0" frame="VOID" rules="NONE" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; border-spacing: 0px; width: 584px; color: rgb(55, 55, 55); line-height: 24px; "> <colgroup> <col width="181" /> <col width="40" /> <col width="86" /> <col width="86" /> <col width="86" /> <col width="71" /> <col width="47" /> </colgroup> <tbody style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <tr style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td align="LEFT" height="18" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; " width="181"> NAME</td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; " width="40"> GP</td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; " width="86"> Corsi Rel QoC</td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; " width="86"> Corsi QoC</td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; " width="86"> Corsi Relative</td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; " width="71"> Corsi On</td> <td align="LEFT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; " width="47"> PDO</td> </tr> <tr style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td align="LEFT" height="18" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> CHRISPRONGER</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 82</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 0.87</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 0.28</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 8.6</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 7.39</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 1005</td> </tr> <tr style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td align="LEFT" height="18" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> BRAYDONCOBURN</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 81</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 0.22</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -0.24</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 7.9</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 7.35</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 984</td> </tr> <tr style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td align="LEFT" height="18" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> MATTHEWCARLE</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 80</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 0.7</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 0.16</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 5.2</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 5.09</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 1014</td> </tr> <tr style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td align="LEFT" height="18" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> KIMMOTIMONEN</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 82</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 0.6</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 0.14</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 3.5</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 4.46</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 981</td> </tr> <tr style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td align="LEFT" height="18" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> OLE-KRISTIANTOLLEFSEN</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 18</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -1.24</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -0.88</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -4.1</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 2.39</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 1014</td> </tr> <tr style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td align="LEFT" height="18" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> DANNYSYVRET</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 21</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -0.75</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 0.02</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -6.2</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -5.95</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 1011</td> </tr> <tr style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td align="LEFT" height="18" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> LUKASKRAJICEK</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 50</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 0.38</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -0.3</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -8.9</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -6.93</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 983</td> </tr> <tr style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td align="LEFT" height="18" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> OSKARSBARTULIS</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 53</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -0.38</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -0.69</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -15.2</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -9.92</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 991</td> </tr> <tr style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td align="LEFT" height="18" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> RYANPARENT</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 48</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -0.78</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -0.39</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -22</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> -10.48</td> <td align="RIGHT" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px 10px 6px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left; "> 971</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

He faced weak competition, played for a strong hockey team, and still struggled.

Back Injury/Surgery – Warning Sign #3

Parent underwent back surgery in January of 2010, as if one more warning sign was needed.

That summer, the Flyers traded him back to Nashville in a deal to acquire the rights to Dan Hamhuis. The Predators must have subscribed to the ‘fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me’ philosophy, as Parent had done absolutely nothing to show himself worthy of reacquiring. His highest goal total in any single season since turning pro was one (a number he hit a few times).

The Predators sold high on Parent back in 2007 after his impressive performance at the World Juniors (for more on selling high on players after the World Juniors, read this piece I wrote a few years ago), and they bought low after a miserable start to his pro career in the Flyers organization.

Traded for Shane O’Brien – Warning Sign #4

Parent didn’t last long in his second stint with the Predators. The team flipped him a few months later to Vancouver for Shane O’Brien. Canuck fans quickly saw what Philadelphia fans were subjected to – a smooth skating defenseman with good size and nothing else. It was quickly apparent that Parent lacked basic puck skills in all three zones, and he struggled consistently with his decision making in his own zone (it is hard for a defenseman to be successful if he doesn’t know what to do defensively).

Claude Noel coached Parent in Manitoba for a season, and delivered one of the greatest hyperboles of our time when assessing his game:

“He reminds me of the Ken Morrows of the world,” said Noel.” Coaches have a lot of appreciation for those types of guys that fall under the radar of glitz and flash, but are staples of your defense.”

Morrow, one of the best defensive defensemen in NHL history (scoring only 17 goals in 550 NHL games), yet he still recorded 15 goals and 52 points in his final season of college hockey. Obviously he played in a different era and a different league, but production is production.

Broad Street Hockey delivered a brutally honest evaluation of Parent’s play during the 2009-10 season here. If the advanced statistics from earlier weren’t enough:

“What is there to say about Ryan Parent? It’s all been said before. He had a really bad (not quite terrible) regular season, got injured, came back and continued his really bad season. This then turned into a terrible playoffs for Ryan Parent, eventually leading to him being benched and then scratched."

Parent’s contract expires this summer and he won’t be brought back by the Canucks. He is destined to ply his trade in Europe, as he has failed multiple times to prove he is anything more than a borderline AHL defenseman. The warning signs were there all along, but multiple teams chose to ignore them, intoxicated by Parent’s size and mobility. You can’t teach size, but often times you can’t teach hockey sense, either.

[MDFlyerFan]

HF: Well written, supported, and brutally honest assessment of Parent. Shame he couldn't take his game up a few notches.

I do recall cringing every time he was on the ice during the 2010 playoff run.

[doom88]

Why wouldn't a team sign him to a two way deal and start him off in the A? If it's ice time he needs to develop, he might get it there. It's really too bad about the injuries though.

[Vanflyer]

@doom88

"Why wouldn't a team sign him to a two way deal and start him off in the A? If it's ice time he needs to develop, he might get it there. It's really too bad about the injuries though."

I actually had to go look. In five years, Parent has played a total of 212 professional games (106 in the NHL and 106 in the AHL).

By all accounts he has been as ineffective at the AHL level as the NHL level. I am not sure how much of that is attributed to injuries. I guess in the end, your point is valid (try and get him healthy and loads of ice time in the AHL).

What is his latest injury?? He has not played a pro hockey game since 2010-2011?

He was supposed to be the sleeper in the Forsberg trade. We all thought that was figurative, not literal. Sad.

[AlaskaFlyerFan]

He has not played a pro hockey game since 2010-2011?

He played 22 games this year. I'm not sure if he was injured or a health scratch for the other games. I got to see him play a few games when they came to SATX. He did not stand out at all when he was on the ice, in fact, I didn't even notice when he was out there.

It always makes you wonder what happens to these players that show so much potential and never live up to it.

[Vanflyer]

@AlaskaFlyerFan

Something is up with NHL.com. When I did a player search for him, he did not even come up. I had to go to Vancouver individual stats to find him and last year at that (he played 4 games there and 39 at Manitoba). Capgeek had him listed as a two-way player with Vancouver this past season. I guess because he did not play and NHL games, they do not even link in his AHL stats.

After some digging, I did not see he was waived by Vancouver and claimed by Chicago. Still, you would think the NHL would be up to date with stuff.

[Puck]

The Manitoba Moose franchise is owned by True North Sports, same owners as the Jets. Last year, the Canucks got a new affiliate: the Chicago Wolves, Atlanta's old farm team, and the Moose were relocated to St. John's, NFLD. So Parent never switched organizations. Not sure why he played so few games. He'll have a tough time finding an AHL contract, for sure.

[jammer2]

With Parent, he never seemed to get comfortable. He always looked afraid to make a mistake, there was no fluidity to his game. Some guys just have that deer in headlights syndrome and never seem to find their way in the big leagues. Skating might get you to the show, but Ryan is living proof it will not keep you there if that's all you have to offer. If he had a bit of a mean streak, that could have enticed a few GM's to take a gamble on him, but as it stands now, I believe his career is toast, unless he's ok with tolling in the ECHL.

[flyercanuck]

@jammer2

Bang on jammer. He always looked uncomfortable in the NHL. Pretty tough to play well if you're playing nervous.