Mike Van Ryn ready to go

Thanks to Panthers beat writer George Richards...

BY GEORGE RICHARDS
grichards@MiamiHerald.com

After
multiple wrist surgeries, defenseman Mike Van Ryn said he feels 'awesome' and
expects to get back to top form.
Mike Van Ryn's wrists have been through a
lot the past few years.
The Panthers defenseman has endured four surgeries --
three on his right wrist alone -- as he has tried to regain the strength and
power that fueled his slapshot and helped him become one of Florida's top
players at the position.
Van Ryn missed 62 games last season after having his
second surgery on his right wrist in less than a year.
He said the time off
has helped him heal, and his wrist feels as good as ever. The Panthers hope Van
Ryn is right.
''I feel awesome now,'' said Van Ryn, who spent last week
helping coach a youth camp in Coral Springs. ``I look at other guys around the
league. It took [Edmonton Oilers defenseman] Sheldon Souray a while to get his
right. It can be a difficult surgery. I'm just excited to play, try and
contribute and help the Panthers win some games.''
The past two seasons have
been rough on Van Ryn. He had surgery on both wrists last summer, only his right
wrist was never fully fixed. After the team's first practice of training camp,
Van Ryn was forced to strap ice bags to his wrist, an early indicator something
was wrong.
Van Ryn had played through pain in 2006-07 and had a subpar
season. Last year, it was apparent he couldn't do that again. In November, just
20 games into the season, he shut things down and went to a different
specialist.
Baltimore's Dr. Thomas Graham found a number of problems with Van
Ryn's wrist and suggested more surgery. At the time, Van Ryn struggled with the
decision on whether to have surgery again. If the procedure did not work, he
said at the time, his career might be over.
INTENSE TRAINING
Van Ryn said
he doesn't have those fears anymore. He has spent the summer working out with
noted trainer Pete Bommarito in Davie, training with fellow athletes such as
teammate Nathan Horton, former teammate Ed Belfour, New York Giants wide
receiver Plaxico Burress and San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore. He
said the intense workouts have helped him on the ice.
''I feel better than I
have in a long, long time,'' he said. ``This is a totally different deal. I know
what I can do, and people who have been here know what I can do. I've been
frustrated with my play the past two years. But it was never a lack of effort. I
was incapable of playing the way I had in the past.''
This offseason, the
Panthers traded captain Olli Jokinen for defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick
Boynton, and currently have eight NHL-caliber defensemen on the active
roster.
''Competition sometimes brings out the best in people,'' general
manager Jacques Martin said.
It's no secret Martin would like to move one or
two of his extra defensemen, perhaps to add some scoring, and Van Ryn could be
traded. Karlis Skrastins also has been mentioned as a trade
possibility.
''It's a possibility I could move one of them down the road,''
Martin said. ``But there is no one in particular. If we could get a forward in
return, well, that's something I would look at. But it's not necessarily
Mike.
``Look at the role he played before he got hurt. He was an important
part of our team. Hopefully the surgery was a success. He feels good about it.
He did a lot of [rehabilitation] last year, with all the time now, I think it's
positive he feels so good.''
`NOTHING I CAN DO'
Van Ryn doesn't want to
leave the Panthers, but knows his game is also a business. A member of the
Panthers since coming south in a trade with St. Louis in 2003, Van Ryn has seen
many friends leave the team over the years.
''Rumors are rumors,'' Van Ryn
said. ``Jacques has never said he is looking to trade me, but it's part of the
game. This is obviously where I want to be. I want to win here. I've been here
forever now, but if I'm traded, it's something I can't control. I'm going about
my business the same every day. There's nothing I can do about it. I'm just
trying to get ready for the season. I hope it's here.''
Martin, who wouldn't
confirm rumors he is shopping Van Ryn, might have to trade someone else before
Van Ryn's wrists are strong enough to endure the NHL. Van Ryn's salary of $3.35
million per season through 2009-10 also could be a hindrance. Of course, if Van
Ryn returns to past form, his contract might look like a bargain.
''I'm not
worried about things,'' Van Ryn said. ``I've had plenty of time to let the wrist
heal. I've had time off and let the wrist heal the way it should.''